The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on something that the industry has known about for years: There are not enough independent slaughterhouses in the country. The consolidation in the industry among the largest processors has put the bulk of meat processing into the hands of five or six of the largest companies, who work with the largest producers.
While the system has left many small producers out of the equation, they have been able to get by with small packers, custom exempt processors and the meat markets that still offer slaughter services. The system has worked, but the system is far from perfect. Small producers have opportunities to direct-market their fresh meat either through online sales or farmers’ markets, but they may have to transport their livestock hundreds of miles to find a company that still has room for harvesting in their schedule. Those small slaughterhouses may be booked up for months in advance, due to heavy demand.