Source: Fox Business
Summary
President Donald Trump’s plan to cut beef import prices is facing opposition from cattle ranchers who claim it misses the main issue: the power of meat packers. Ranchers say the “Big Four” packers control the market and pay them less for cattle while charging consumers more. They also warn that a temporary expansion of imports will not solve the problem and that rebuilding domestic production is necessary for long-term affordability.
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As expected, the discussion returns to a familiar question.
Ranchers Harris and Bolton are concerned about the power of meat packers, saying they create a system where they win no matter what, at the cost of everyone else. They see the same problem in Texas and Georgia, where the “Big Four” packers control processing, distribution, and pricing. This allows them to pay ranchers less for cattle while charging consumers more.
The issue is not just about cheap imported beef, but about the long-term sustainability of the domestic cattle industry. Ranchers are warning that rebuilding production will take time, and that temporary imports are not a substitute for a healthy and resilient domestic industry.
It’s a familiar refrain, one that echoes across cattle country.
