Clemens Food Group has agreed to pay $13.5 million to settle allegations that it participated in a price-fixing conspiracy in the U.S. pork industry. The proposed settlement, filed in a Minnesota federal court, resolves claims from a class of indirect pork purchasers—such as restaurants and foodservice businesses—that the company helped coordinate efforts to inflate pork prices.
This is the fifth major settlement in the ongoing litigation, bringing total recovery for the class to nearly $123 million. Previous settlements include:
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$75 million from Smithfield Foods
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$20 million from JBS USA
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$10 million from Seaboard Foods
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$4.465 million from Hormel Foods
The lawsuit, which dates back several years, alleges that pork producers colluded through Agri Stats, an industry benchmarking platform, and coordinated production cuts and export strategies to limit supply and raise prices. The class of indirect purchasers was certified in 2023, and the case is moving toward trial after recent summary judgment motions were denied.
Under the agreement, Clemens will contribute $13.5 million to a settlement fund used to compensate eligible class members and cover legal costs. The company has also agreed to cooperate at trial by allowing up to 50 internal documents to be admitted as evidence.
Remaining defendants in the case include Tyson Foods, Triumph Foods, and Agri Stats.
Swine Web will continue monitoring developments in this case as it heads toward trial, and how outcomes may impact pork pricing transparency and competition moving forward.
