November 20, 2003

Top US Beef Cattle Processor Companies in 2002
 

Cattle Buyers Weekly, the US beef industry news publication, recently reports on "The top 30 beef processor companies in the US".

The top five processors in 2002 in descending order were Tyson Foods, Arkansas, Excel Corporation, Kansas, Swift & Company, Colorado, Farmland National Beef Packing, Montana and Smithfield Foods, Virginia. 

The top five processors accounted for approximately 76% of total cattle slaughtered in the 2001 calendar year and have a combined capacity of 173,700 head per day.

The US produced 12.3 million tons of beef in 2002 and has produced 10.2 million tons in the calendar year to October, 1.5% below the equivalent period last year. 

USDA has forecast US beef production to total 12.1 million tons for the 2003 calendar year.