JBS to close meat plants in manufacturing reshuffle

The company plans to lay off at least 2,000 workers as it shutters a Pennsylvania beef processing facility and makes changes at majority-owned Pilgrim’s Pride.

What happened

JBS USA is set to lay off 2,000 workers as the meat processing giant closes two beef plants and makes other changes to its chicken manufacturing network.

The meatpacker is closing a beef processing plant in the Philadelphia suburb of Souderton that will result in approximately 1,500 layoffs, according to a WARN notice. JBS is also shuttering a value-added beef facility in Memphis, Tennessee, where another 200 employees work, according to media outlets.

Why it matters

JBS said production from the shuttered beef plants will be absorbed into other operations across its network. The meat giant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In a separate announcement, JBS-owned Pilgrim's Pride said it would shift some chicken production from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Ellijay, Georgia, where the company is investing $75 million to expand a poultry facility. The shift will lead to the partial closure of the Chattanooga plant, with 348 workers set to be laid off.

The changes come as meatpackers struggle with heavy profit losses in beef due to U.S. cattle shortage that has pushed consumer prices to record highs. The shortage has prompted other companies, such as Tyson Foods, to close plants and prioritize chicken and other more profitable segments.

This news brief is based on reporting published by Food Dive on 2026-06-15. The original report is linked below.