- Food & Drink
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- Biggest Vitamin Companies
- Largest Poultry Companies
- Largest Meat Companies
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The largest meat company in the U.S. is Cargill Meat Solutions, with 2025 sales reaching $165 billion.
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The U.S. meat market has a market size of $177 billion.
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95% of Americans continue to include meat as a primary part of their diets.
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The U.S. meat industry employs approximately 500,000 people, contributing to the creation of up to 2 million additional jobs in related sectors.
Given that around 95% of Americans still consume meat as a staple in their diets, the meat industry remains a vital component of daily life. From poultry to beef, meat products continue to be a central focus for consumers across the nation.
Since meat producers encompass companies specializing in various types of meat, from beef to poultry, this list features a diverse range of companies. Let’s explore the largest meat companies in the United States as of 2026.
12 Largest Meat Companies
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Cargill Meat Solutions. Wichita, KS
2025 Sales: $165 billion
Cargill is a leading meat producer in the U.S., offering a comprehensive range of meat products. They are particularly known for their beef and turkey, in addition to extensive food distribution services.
Cargill supplies both consumers through grocery stores and third-party food companies for wholesale distribution. Their product lineup includes fresh beef, pork, sausages, ham, bacon, poultry, and deli meats.
With over 30 operational plants in the U.S. and Canada, Cargill employs approximately 165,000 individuals.
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2025 Sales: $68.636 billion
Sysco is renowned for its extensive food service offerings, including meat production and food preparation solutions. As a major wholesaler, they provide fresh meats and prepared foods in bulk to a variety of sectors, including restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, and hotels.
Sysco’s product range includes fresh beef, pork, sausages, ham, deli meats, lamb, and specialty game meats. The company operates over 330 distribution centers across nearly all 50 states, as well as several Canadian provinces.
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2025 Sales: $64.984 billion
JBS USA, the American division of Brazilian meat company JBS S.A., stands as the largest meat producer globally. Their offerings encompass boxed beef, ground beef, fresh pork, bacon, poultry, lamb, seafood, meat-based snacks, and plant-based protein options.
While primarily operating in the wholesale sector, JBS also provides some direct-to-consumer products through its subsidiary brands. The company has a presence in over 20 states and employs around 80,000 people.
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2025 Sales: $53.282 billion
Primarily recognized for its poultry products such as chicken nuggets and wings, Tyson is one of the largest meat producers in the U.S. They also produce a wide range of other meats, including ground beef, ham, and sausage.
Tyson Foods includes several well-known brands, including Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright Brand, Aidells, and State Fair. The company operates in 45 states and employs over 140,000 individuals.
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Smithfield Foods. Smithfield, VA
2025 Sales: $14.40 billion
Originating as a small packing company, Smithfield Foods has evolved into a multinational meat processing corporation. They have numerous facilities in the U.S. and international locations in Mexico, Poland, Romania, Germany, and the UK.
Smithfield focuses primarily on pork products, including fresh pork, ham, sausages, bacon, and deli meats, while also offering some seafood, game, and poultry products. As of 2026, they employ over 50,000 individuals globally.
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2025 Sales: $12.459 billion
Hormel is a well-known meat company that primarily sells directly to consumers. Their product offerings include fresh pork, ham, sausages, deli meats, poultry, seafood, prepared foods, and meat-based snacks. Hormel’s brand portfolio includes Applegate, Country Crock, Jennie-O, and Spam.
The company employs about 20,000 people across several U.S. locations and maintains a global presence with exports to Australia, Canada, Japan, Brazil, China, the Philippines, Panama, and South Korea.
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2025 Sales: $11.536 billion
Conagra Brands is a significant player in the food industry, providing products to supermarkets, restaurants, and food service companies. Their offerings include fresh meats, sausages, seafood, and prepared foods, while their brand portfolio features Banquet, Dukes’, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hungry-Man, Kid Cuisine, and Marie Callender’s.
With major facilities in Chicago and Omaha, Conagra employs around 18,000 people across various locations in the U.S. and abroad.
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2025 Sales: $11.00 billion
Founded in 1973, Koch Foods has transformed from a small chicken processing company to a major player in the poultry industry, operating in six states (Illinois, Alabama, Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia).
Specializing exclusively in chicken, Koch Foods provides products marketed under its own name and various subsidiary brands, including Antioch Farms and Preferred Foods. They serve prominent clients such as Burger King, Kroger, and Walmart, with around 14,000 employees across their locations.
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National Beef Packing Co. Kansas City, MO
2025 Sales: $9.40 billion
National Beef stands out for its exclusive focus on beef products, including cow byproducts like leather. Their popular offerings include boxed beef and portion control beef.
The Kansas City Steak Company, a subsidiary, specializes in delivering pre-portioned steaks and beef products by mail. National Beef operates processing plants in Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa, employing nearly 9,000 individuals.
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2025 Sales: $7.90 billion
OSI Group is a significant global meat producer, operating more than 65 facilities across over 35 countries. Their diverse product line includes fresh beef, pork, ham, deli meats, sausages, poultry, seafood, and meat snacks.
As both a retail producer and a wholesale supplier, OSI serves major food vendors, including Subway, Starbucks, Papa John’s Pizza, and Pizza Hut. The company has garnered recognition for its commitment to employee health, safety, and environmental sustainability.
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2025 Sales: $6.70 billion
Perdue Farms, a well-established name in the poultry industry, is chiefly recognized for its chicken products, offering both raw and pre-made options. They also produce turkey and pork.
Founded in 1920 as a family business, Perdue remains family-operated with leadership roles held by family members. Their product offerings include fresh beef, pork, poultry, sausages, deli meats, and specialty organic lines. They employ over 21,000 people across several locations, mainly in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, and Kentucky.
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Sanderson Farms Inc. Laurel, MS
2025 Sales: $4.80 billion
Similar to Koch Foods, Sanderson Farms is primarily focused on poultry, recognized as one of the top producers in the U.S. with a production rate of nearly 13.65 million chickens per week.
Sanderson Farms mainly supplies raw chicken to supermarkets nationwide, offering both whole and portioned chicken. The company employs approximately 18,000 individuals across locations in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia.
In conclusion, the U.S. meat industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, reflecting ongoing consumer preferences and evolving market dynamics. As we move into 2026, these leading companies will continue to shape the landscape of meat production, catering to the diverse demands of consumers while adapting to innovations in technology and sustainability practices.
- Food & Drink
- Largest Chocolate Companies
- Largest Bakery Companies
- Largest Soda Companies
- Largest Tea Companies
- Largest Beer Companies
- Largest Wine Companies
- Largest Bottled Water Companies
- Largest Coffee Companies
- Largest Yogurt Companies
- Largest Dairy Companies
- Biggest Vitamin Companies
- Largest Poultry Companies
- Largest Meat Companies
- Largest Fishing Companies
- Largest Craft Breweries
- Largest Cheese Companies
- Largest Spirits Companies
Author
Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.
