Tyson Foods $48 Million Pork Price-Fixing Settlement, Commercial Food Service Buyers Can File Claims Now—Eligibility, Deadline, And How Much You Could Get 2026
Tyson Foods agreed to pay $48 million to settle claims it conspired with other pork producers to fix the price of pork by constricting supply. The settlement benefits a class of indirect commercial purchasers of pork who purchased certain pork products from defendants for their own use in commercial food preparation in the United States between June 28, 2014, and June 30, 2018.
This settlement brings total monetary relief to more than $114 million, with six pork processors having now settled—but if you operate a restaurant, deli, or food service business that bought pork during the conspiracy period, you must act quickly because preliminary approval hearings are already underway in Minnesota federal court.
What Is The Tyson Foods Pork Price-Fixing Settlement About?
In 2018, several plaintiffs alleged in a complaint that companies entered into a conspiracy from at least 2009 to the present to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the price of pork. The principal method by which defendants implemented and executed their conspiracy was by coordinating their output and limiting production with the intent and expected result of increasing pork prices in the United States.
The CIIPPs claim the pork price-fixing conspiracy was facilitated by Agri Stats, which allegedly exchanged non-public information among pork producers that allowed them to control the supply and price of pork.
Agri Stats is a protein industry data-sharing service that allowed competing meat producers to compare detailed, competitively sensitive information about price, capacity, sales volume, and demand. The lawsuit alleges this created an “ideal zone for collusion” because the pork industry was concentrated among a handful of dominant processors.
For context, similar data-sharing price-fixing schemes have faced legal scrutiny across industries. The RealPage Lawsuit, DOJ Settlement Ends Rent Price-Fixing Scheme—What Renters Must Know NOW demonstrates how third-party platforms that facilitate information exchange among competitors can violate antitrust laws, even when using software instead of face-to-face meetings.
Who Is Eligible For The $48 Million Settlement?
The settlement benefits a class of indirect commercial purchasers of pork who purchased certain pork products from defendants or co-conspirators for their own use in commercial food preparation in the United States between June 28, 2014, and June 30, 2018.
You may be eligible if you:
- Operate a restaurant, deli, cafeteria, or food service business
- Purchased pork products (raw pork cuts, uncooked bacon, etc.) from Tyson or its distributors between June 28, 2014 and June 30, 2018
- Used the pork in your own commercial food preparation (not for resale as raw product)
- Are located in the United States
Examples of eligible businesses: LongHorn Steakhouse, Darden Restaurants, independent restaurants, hospital cafeterias, school food services, corporate dining facilities, hotels with kitchens, catering companies.
Not eligible: Grocery stores or retailers who purchased pork to resell to consumers without further preparation.
What Are The Specific Price-Fixing Allegations?
The plaintiffs pointed to increased concentration in the pork industry as an ideal zone for collusion because none of the largest producers were capable of independently controlling price through their own production, such an agreement was necessary to inflate price.
Court documents show abnormal price movements beginning in 2009. According to aggregate prices published by the USDA, the hog market year average price was at or below $50 every year between 1998 and 2009, before increasing to $76.30 in 2015.
The conspiracy allegedly operated through coordinated production cuts. When demand remained stable but supply was artificially restricted, pork prices increased dramatically—forcing food service operators to pay inflated prices for the same products.
Current Status And Settlement Timeline
January 27, 2026: Commercial and institutional indirect purchaser plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (Case No. 18-cv-1776).
February 2026: The court is reviewing whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate.
Upcoming: If preliminary approval is granted, the court will set a notice period and claim filing deadline.
The Tyson Foods settlement would bring total monetary relief to more than $114 million. Previous settlements include:
- JBS: $24 million (January 2021)
- Smithfield: $83 million (2022)
- Seaboard: Amount undisclosed
- Hormel: Amount undisclosed
- Clemens: Amount undisclosed
- Tyson: $48 million (January 2026)
Triumph Foods and Indiana Packers remain defendants and have not settled.
Tyson previously settled with consumers in the same class-action lawsuit in October for $85 million, meaning the company has now paid $133 million across two pork price-fixing settlements.
How To File A Claim
The claims process has not yet opened. Once the court grants preliminary approval, a settlement administrator will be appointed and a claims website will be established.
Steps to prepare:
- Gather documentation: Collect invoices, purchase orders, receipts, and payment records showing pork purchases from Tyson Foods or its distributors between June 28, 2014 and June 30, 2018.
- Calculate purchases: Estimate the total dollar amount of pork products you purchased during the class period.
- Monitor case developments: Check the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota docket (Case No. 18-cv-1776) for preliminary approval orders and notice of claim deadlines.
- Watch for notice: If you’re a class member, you should receive direct notice by mail or email once the settlement administrator is appointed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Exactly Is This Case About?
The lawsuit alleges that companies entered into a conspiracy from at least 2009 to fix, raise, maintain and stabilize the price of pork by coordinating their output and limiting production.
Who Can File A Claim?
Restaurants, delis, cafeterias, and other food service operators that purchased pork products from Tyson or its distributors between June 28, 2014 and June 30, 2018 for use in commercial food preparation.
How Many Businesses Are Affected?
Exact numbers are unknown, but the settlement covers thousands of food service operators nationwide who purchased pork during the four-year conspiracy period.
How Much Will I Receive?
Payout amounts depend on how much pork you purchased and how many valid claims are filed. The $48 million fund will be divided among all eligible class members after attorneys’ fees and administrative costs are deducted.
When Is The Claim Deadline?
The deadline has not been announced yet. It will be set after the court grants preliminary approval, typically 60-180 days after notice is sent.
Where Can I Find Official Information?
Monitor the settlement case docket at the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota (Case No. 18-cv-1776). Once established, a settlement website will provide claim forms and instructions.
Did Tyson Admit Guilt?
Tyson denies all allegations of wrongdoing in the action and is settling to avoid the expense, risk, exposure, inconvenience, and distraction of continued litigation.
Last Updated: February 6, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Tyson Foods pork price-fixing settlement. It is not legal advice. Tyson Foods denies all allegations. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Protect your business. If you purchased pork for commercial food service between 2014-2018, gather your documentation now and prepare to file a claim when the window opens.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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