For the first time in recent memory, there is a new company at the top of The National Provisioner's annual Top 100 Meat and Poultry Processors Report. Backed by growth in its beef and pork divisions, JBS Holdings holds the top spot in this year’s survey of the meat and poultry industry, with a slight edge over Tyson Foods. JBS and Tyson reported fiscal year-end sales of $38.642 and $38.260 billion, respectively.

JBS USA Pork reported a year-end growth of 16.2 percent, totaling $6.2 billion. In JBS SA’s year-end report, the company credited growth in the demand for pork in domestic and international markets, as well as the expansion of the business in the U.S. through the acquisition of Plumrose in May 2017.

“The excellent performance reported by JBS USA Pork, which was also the best result achieved by any U.S.-based pork operation in the United States, is a testament to the effectiveness of the managerial team, their unrelenting focus on operational efficiencies, their decision to diversify into higher value-added products and the strengthening of commercial partnerships with key customers,” the company said in a statement.

Tyson, for its part, also experienced company growth thanks in part to a noteworthy acquisition. The company bought AdvancePierre Foods on June 17, 2017, boosting the company’s prepared foods capabilities. That acquisition not only helped Tyson reach record sales figures in 2017, but it also got the company off to a record-breaking start in the current fiscal year. First quarter sales totaled $10.229 billion, with an 11.6 percent growth in the Prepared Foods segment leading the way.

Several other acquisitions impacted the look of the Top 100. Columbus Foods was acquired by Hormel Foods in October, and Albertville Quality Foods was acquired by OK Foods, itself a subsidiary of the Mexican corporation Industrias Bachoco, in July. Bob Evans Farms, now known as BEF Foods, was acquired by Post Holdings Corp. in September.

Overall, the mood of the Top 100 meat and poultry companies was upbeat. Fifteen respondents called the previous fiscal year their best ever, while another 20 called it “good.” Twenty-four companies are predicting that the current fiscal year with be their best ever. There are multiple processing and distribution centers being built, expanded upon or opened throughout the country by the companies in the Top 100 Report.

Even with the positive outlook, the processors’ concerns remain largely unchanged from previous Top 100 reports. Labor issues, specifically the lack of available labor, was listed as a top concern by more than a dozen companies. Others are concerned about trade issues and raw material costs.  NP

Thanks to all of the processors who participated in this year’s Top 100 Report. If you would like to participate in next year’s Top 100 report or would like to report a change in media contacts, please send an email to Sam Gazdziak at gazdziaks@bnpmedia.com.

2018 Market Segment Reports

Editor’s note: The market segment reports are gathered by information submitted by the following companies. Those companies that did not respond or declined to provide specific information were not included.

PORK

BEEF

CHICKEN

TURKEY

EXPORT