Interim Report: Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising

On October 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued "Interim Report: Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising."<_o3a_p>

Executive Order No. 14036 on Promoting Competition in the American Economy directed USDA to prepare a report "on the effect of retail concentration and retailers' practices on the conditions of competition in the food industries." Following a multi-year effort to better understand meat markets and potential problems existing within them-with an attention to beef-this report concludes that current practices existing within the meat merchandising industry warrant a renewed focus on enforcement of existing laws.<_o3a_p>

This interim report summarizes findings from USDA research and investigations authorized by the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). <_o3a_p>

Read the Interim Report<_o3a_p>

Fact Sheet <_o3a_p>

Learn more about fair markets at Fair and Competitive Markets on our webpage.<_o3a_p>

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender<_o3a_p>