USDA has released an interim report on competition and fair market practices in the meat sector. The trend of increased market concentration is continuing with the top four meatpackers. The report identifies hidden fees and anti-competitive pricing strategies in the beef market. As a result, the Agriculture Department plans to step up its enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. USDA will also look for ways to improve price discovery in the fed cattle market. That includes focusing on alternative marketing arrangements, including forward contracts or custom feeding under packer ownership.
