Just three companies sell roughly half of all turkeys. Excessive consolidation increases the risk of price-fixing and harmful supply chain disruptions, both of which have come to roost in the turkey industry.
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Cities, small towns, and the federal government have all tried running public food markets and grocery stores. New York City can learn from the military commissary system and benefit from Robinson-Patman Act enforcement.
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President Trump’s plan to import more beef from Argentina hit a nerve with ranchers, not only because it sunk cattle futures, but because U.S. ranchers already feel threatened by unlabeled imports.
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The shutdown is the latest blow to agriculture antimonopoly work, as the Trump administration cancels Biden-era projects promoting seed competition and state-level antitrust enforcement.
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RFK Jr. praised McDonald’s $200M donation as the Trump administration cuts USDA staff that support rangeland conservation. Rather than fund short-term projects, advocates want McDonald’s to pay ranchers a fair price for better practices.
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After Warren Buffett and 3G Capital brought them together, Kraft Heinz will split into two companies. But this deal won’t reintroduce competition into the packaged food market.
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The FTC withdrew its Robinson-Patman lawsuit against Pepsi, but private plaintiffs are bringing similar suits. New claims targeting promotional allowances could challenge unfair pricing norms in food retail.
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The DOJ approved Wayne-Sanderson’s takeover of the 21st largest chicken processor, Harrison Poultry. The deal has minimal near-term risks to competition, but contributes to the broader trend of industry concentration.
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After paying billions to settle Roundup cancer suits, Bayer launched a multi-pronged lobbying campaign to turn its legal defense into law. An appropriations rider passed Tuesday is the tip of the iceberg.
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As Republicans added work requirements for SNAP, they also made it easier for non-active farm owners to collect more federal subsidies.
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Grocery chains use little known property controls to prevent competition from moving in next door or into their store after they’re gone.
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If it’s a food franchise, there’s a good chance one private equity firm, Roark Capital, owns it. Private equity ownership exacerbates the labor problems inherent in franchising.
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