Meat giant JBS is closing a case-ready production plant in the US, impacting more than 300 jobs.
According to a WARN notice filed with California’s Employment Development Department, the Swift Beef Company facility in Riverside will shut down on 2 February. Some 374 jobs will be affected, the filing noted.
In a statement to Just Food, JBS USA, the US unit of the Brazilian meat giant, said the move is part of a strategy to “optimise its value-added and case-ready business” and “simplify” operations.
Production is being shifted to other, undisclosed JBS plants.
"Opportunities will be made available at other JBS facilities, including relocation support for those interested," the statement added.
Workers who cannot or do not wish to relocate will receive a 60-day notice period.
Last month, JBS rival Tyson Foods announced plans to close beef-processing plant in Nebraska, under a plan to “right size” the struggling segment of the US giant’s meat business.
After reporting a year of declining beef volumes earlier in November and pointing to an adjusted operating loss for the segment in fiscal 2026, the meatpacker said it will also convert its beef facility in Amarillo, Texas, to a single, “full-capacity” shift.
JBS, meanwhile, has made efforts to expand its footprint elsewhere in the US this year.
In February, the company announced a $200m plan to boost beef capacity in Texas and Colorado.
In May, JBS said it would invest $135m in a new sausage factory in Perry, Iowa, creating 500 jobs.
A month later, the company acquired a former Hy-Vee facility in Ankeny, Iowa, and plans to spend $100m to buy and equip the site for bacon and sausage production.
