A major beef processing facility in California (owned by the largest meatpacker in the world) is set to close, leaving hundreds of employees facing layoffs. The decision is expected to ripple through the supply chain, raising concerns for grocery stores and consumers alike.
JBS closure in Riverside, CA
JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, announced it will permanently close its Swift Beef Company beef processing facility in Riverside, California, effective February 2, 2026, resulting in the elimination of 374 jobs. The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice on December 3, 2025.
What the plant does
The Riverside site, owned and operated by JBS’s Swift Beef Co. unit, is a value-added processing facility that prepares beef for sale in grocery store meat cases. It does not slaughter live cattle but handles trimming, cutting, and packaging of beef products for retail distribution. (It’s also known as a “case-ready” business.)
Company statement and rationale
JBS officials said the closure is part of a strategic initiative to “optimize its value-added and case-ready business and simplify operations across its network.” The company added that production previously handled in Riverside will be shifted to other facilities to maintain service levels for customers.
A spokesperson emphasized the move is aimed at strengthening the company’s operational footprint amid changing market conditions.
Affected employees will be eligible for opportunities at other JBS plants, and relocation support may be offered for those who choose to transfer. JBS has said it remains focused on delivering quality products while adjusting to evolving supply chain demands.
Broader industry context
The closure comes amid tight cattle supplies and record-high beef prices nationwide, driven by a smaller U.S. herd and drought pressures in key cattle-producing regions. These supply challenges have increased costs for meatpackers and squeezed margins across the industry.
JBS’s announcement follows similar restructuring moves by competitors, including Tyson Foods, which has reduced operations at several beef plants in recent months.
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