A longtime regional meat processor and its sister company have closed their doors, marking another shake-up in the protein supply chain that includes pork. Weinstein Wholesale Meats, based in Forest Park, Illinois, and Midwest Perishable Industries (MPI), headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, ceased operations last month, impacting approximately 115 employees.
Weinstein, a family-owned business founded in 1959, served as a regional supplier of beef, pork, and poultry. While no official reason has been provided for the Illinois closure, industry observers point to growing financial pressures that have been mounting across mid-sized processors. These pressures range from tightened credit markets and high operational costs to shrinking margins and labor challenges.
The Wisconsin-based sister company, MPI, had reportedly been seeking new financing to continue operations and pursue potential investment opportunities. When those efforts fell through, the company halted business activities and initiated layoffs. Subsequent attempts to sell the business were unsuccessful.
For the swine industry, the shuttering of these processors serves as another reminder of the fragile nature of the regional processing network. Mid-sized facilities like these play a critical role in maintaining market access and processing capacity for independent and smaller-scale producers. Their disappearance can lead to increased consolidation and fewer options for producers looking to diversify their packer relationships.
As the protein sector continues to navigate volatility in input costs, labor availability, and shifting demand, the closure of Weinstein and MPI may signal a broader trend that deserves attention from pork stakeholders across the Midwest.
