Tyson Among 8 Pork Producers Settling Antitrust Class Action for $117 Million
The companies are accused of unlawfully coordinating prices and supply through data exchanges, leading to higher consumer costs.
Eight major pork producers, including Tyson Foods, have agreed to a $117 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging antitrust violations. The producers are accused of using a data analytics company, Agri Stats, to exchange competitively sensitive information regarding pork prices, production levels, and costs. This alleged information sharing allowed the companies to monitor competitors and coordinate pricing strategies, ultimately leading to higher costs for consumers.
The Justice Department has also alleged that Agri Stats unlawfully facilitated these exchanges. While the companies involved, which also include Clemens, Hormel, JBS, Seaboard, Smithfield, and Triumph, deny any wrongdoing, they have agreed to the settlement. Tyson Foods will contribute the largest portion of the settlement at $85 million.
To be eligible for a payout, consumers must have indirectly purchased pork products for personal consumption between June 28, 2014, and June 30, 2018. The settlement applies to residents of 24 states and the District of Columbia: Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia.
Class members are required to submit a claim form online or by mail by October 29, 2026. The exact payment amount for each eligible claimant will depend on the total number of valid claims filed. A final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for December 11, 2026, with payments expected to be distributed shortly thereafter.