Major retailers, including Walmart and Publix, are being investigated over meat prices

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) expanded its antitrust investigation into beef affordability to include eight of the country’s largest grocery retailers.

Key Details of the Investigation

• Retailers Named: Letters requesting detailed data were sent to Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Costco, Amazon, Albertsons, Aldi, and Ahold Delhaize USA (parent company of Giant Food, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop).
• Information Requested: Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward requested data on pricing strategies, profit margins, costs, wholesale purchases from meatpackers, and pricing analyses dating back to 2020.
• Initial Focus: The DOJ probe began with a criminal investigation targeting the “Big Four” meatpackers—Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, and National Beef—which process roughly 85% of U.S. beef. It was launched following directives to examine potential price manipulation, supply restrictions, and collusion.
• Legal Status: Expanding the inquiry to grocers allows federal investigators to analyze the full supply chain. Being named in this inquiry indicates federal scrutiny, not formal charges of wrongdoing against the retailers.

Broader Market Context

Ground beef prices reached a record average of $6.89 per pound, up around 10% year-over-year. Beyond potential market manipulation, industry experts point to underlying structural supply issues:

• The U.S. cattle herd shrank to roughly 86.2 million head—its smallest size in over 70 years—driven by prolonged drought, elevated feed costs, and import restrictions.