Chicken farmers in the US state of Arkansas are suing Pilgrim's Pride in response to the processor's decision to idle its plant in Clinton, Arkansas.

The lawsuit accuses the company of fraud, deceit and misrepresentation.

Farmers complained to the local media that grower losses are greater even than those of the plant employees who lost their jobs at the factory as some have invested considerable sums into upgrading their farms in the belief that the company would still be contracting chickens.

Pilgrim's Pride is closing the plant as part of efforts to cut production and costs and hence return the company to profitability.