The DOJ reportedly said that the deal would company two of the top four
The department said it is not challenging JBS’s acquisition of Smithfield Beef Group Inc. from Smithfield Foods Inc.
If allowed, JBS's acquisition of Kansas City, Mo.-based National would reportedly make it the largest
"The combination of JBS and National will likely lead to grocers, foodservice companies and ultimately American consumers paying higher prices for beef," said Thomas O. Barnett, assistant attorney general in charge of the antitrust division. "It will also lessen the competition among packers in the purchase of cattle that has been critical to ensuring competitive prices to the nation's thousands of producers, ranchers and feedlots."