> At a Glance
> – Tyson and Cargill will pay $87.5 million to settle claims they conspired to inflate grocery-store beef prices from 2014-2019
> – Shoppers in 25 states plus D.C. who bought chuck, loin, rib or round cuts may file for cash
> – Claim deadline is June 30, 2026
> – Why it matters: Millions of consumers could recoup money spent on artificially higher beef prices
A sweeping antitrust lawsuit claims America’s largest beef processors secretly agreed to limit competition and drive up supermarket prices. While the companies deny wrongdoing, two industry leaders-Tyson Foods and Cargill-have agreed to a combined $87.5 million settlement to make the case go away.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Court filings say Tyson, Cargill, JBS and National Beef coordinated pricing and production decisions between August 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. Plaintiffs argue this collusion raised retail prices on primal cuts such as chuck, loin, rib and round.
The defendants deny any legal violation, and the court has not ruled on liability. Litigation continues against the non-settling processors.
Who Can Get Money
You qualify for a pro-rata cash payment if you:
- Bought beef at grocery stores (not restaurants or direct from processors)
- Lived in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin or D.C.
- Purchased during the 2014-2019 window
Excluded products: USDA Prime, organic, grass-fed, Wagyu, kosher, halal, plus ground, seasoned or marinated beef.
Settlement Details
| Company | Payment |
|---|---|
| Tyson | $55 M |
| Cargill | $32.5 M |
| Total | $87.5 M |
Payments begin after final court approval and any appeals. Submit your claim online or by mail no later than June 30, 2026.
Filing releases your claims against Tyson and Cargill only; you keep any rights to sue the remaining defendants.
Key Takeaways
- $87.5 million pot is set aside for affected shoppers
- 25 states plus D.C. residents can file
- June 30, 2026 is the hard deadline
- Litigation continues against other beef processors
Check the official settlement site for forms and updates before the 2026 cutoff.
