US meat giant Tyson Foods is to axe at least 1,500 jobs in a bid to fight over-capacity in the beef sector.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The company said it would end its beef slaughter operations at its facility in Emporia, Kansas. The site will still be used as a storage and distribution facility but the decision will lead to the loss of 1,500 to 2,400 jobs.


“We must make changes to our commodity business model to effectively manage through challenging market conditions,” Tyson president and CEO Dick Bond said.


“There continues to be far more beef slaughter capacity than available cattle and we believe this problem will continue to afflict the industry for the foreseeable future. We estimate the current slaughter overcapacity in the industry to be between 10,000 and 14,000 head of cattle per day.


Tyson said the size of the US cattle herd was not growing amid pressure on feed costs as more corn is used for biofuel production.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now