The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday, Sept. 1, that it has expanded its beef affordability investigation to include eight of the nation's largest grocery chains.
According to a post on the department's official X account, Associate Attorney General (AG) Stanley Woodward sent letters to Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize USA, Costco and Amazon concerning recent increases in the retail price of beef. [1][2] The DOJ's Antitrust Division "has expanded its investigation to include eight of the largest grocers when it comes to beef affordability," the post read.
"Beef prices are a critical concern to Americans, and a priority for this Justice Department," the X post further stated. Officials released no further details about what the letters demand or when the retailers must respond. [1]
Background: Meatpacker Concentration and Earlier Probe
The move extends a probe that initially targeted the four largest beef processors – Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS and National Beef – which handle roughly 85% of the nation's beef processing. President Donald Trump ordered the DOJ to investigate the packers in November 2025, citing possible collusion and price manipulation. The concentration of processing power among these firms has been a long-standing concern in the industry, with the top firms purchasing approximately 80% of fed cattle. [3][1]
Acting AG Todd Blanche said in May that the department had already analyzed more than 3 million documents and had interviewed ranchers, cattlemen, producers, and processors. That same month, Texas AG Ken Paxton launched a separate investigation, stating that "Texans deserve fair prices at the store and ranchers deserve fair pay for their work." [1]
Consumer Impact and Market Conditions
Retail beef prices have reached record levels, putting significant pressure on consumer pocketbooks. Ground beef sat near $7 a pound in the second quarter of this year – up about 70% since early 2021, according to the department's announcement.
Overall retail beef prices hit new records earlier in 2026. The U.S. cattle herd itself is the smallest in decades amid drought, feed costs, and other pressures that have thinned numbers. [1][4] Ranchers' share of every retail dollar has fallen to historic lows, while the big processors have posted strong profits.
Independent operators have alleged in lawsuits that the major packers enjoy high margins that don't filter down to producers. As described in David Dayen's analysis of agricultural monopolies, when a small number of buyers control what cattle they purchase and where it moves along to retail outlets, "the economics of supply and demand become irrelevant." [5][5]
Previous Justice Department Actions and Administration Measures
Earlier this spring, the department settled with Agri Stats, a data firm accused of sharing detailed pricing and production information among large processors. Officials stated that this practice reduced competition and enabled processors to identify opportunities to push prices higher on chicken, pork and turkey.
The settlement came after the DOJ opened a criminal probe into major meatpackers in April, which followed Trump's push for an investigation while supermarket beef prices remained near record highs. [6][1] Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has repeatedly pointed to the tight control that the four major packers hold over the market.
The administration has also pursued other measures – including opening more land for grazing, adjusting import quotas on lean trimmings for ground beef and supporting programs to rebuild cattle herds nationally. In May, the White House moved to temporarily cut beef import tariffs by suspending the annual tariff-rate quota, according to a Wall Street Journal report. [1][7]
Reactions and Outlook
The expansion of the DOJ's investigation to grocery chains signals broader scrutiny of the entire beef supply chain, from packers to retailers. While no conclusions have been announced, observers note that the investigation may lead to further actions if evidence of coordination or unfair pricing emerges. Paxton's independent probe underscores the concerns of both consumers facing high prices and ranchers receiving historically low shares of retail dollars. [1]
With beef prices remaining a critical concern to American households, federal and state authorities continue to examine how market power is exercised at each stage of the supply chain. The DOJ has not released details on what the letters demand or deadlines for responses. [1]
References
- Kimberly Hayek. "DOJ Adds Walmart, Costco, Amazon To Beef Price Probe". Zero Hedge. September 3, 2026.
- "DOJ Adds Walmart, Costco, Amazon to Beef Price Probe". The Epoch Times. September 3, 2026.
- "Strategic Response to Mandatory Reporting Legislation in the U.S. Livestock and Meat Industries: Are Collusive Opportunities Enhanced?". Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 2001.
- Kevin Hughes. "US beef industry in crisis: Record prices shrinking herds and mounting pressures on ranchers". NaturalNews.com. February 17, 2026.
- David Dayen. "Monopolized".
- "DoJ Opens Criminal Probe Into Meatpacking Cartel As Food Stocks Slide". Zero Hedge. April 20, 2026.
- "Tyson Sinks, Walmart Falls After Trump Moves To Temporarily Lower Beef Import Tariffs". Zero Hedge. May 11, 2026.
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