The Justice Department is investigating major U.S. retailers due to increasing consumer beef prices. This is part of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to reduce the cost of beef, a staple in American grocery stores.
The Antitrust Division of the department has expanded an ongoing investigation into beef costs, which have risen approximately 10 percent over the past year. The investigation now includes eight American retail chains. Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. issued letters to Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize USA, Costco, and Amazon, addressing the recent beef price increases.
“Beef prices are a critical concern to Americans, and a priority for this Justice Department,” the DOJ stated on Tuesday.
This announcement follows the department’s antitrust investigation into the nation’s four largest meatpackers, which President Donald Trump previously accused of illicit collusion, price fixing, and manipulation.
Recent administration efforts to reduce costs include a plan allowing tariff-free entry of 300,000 metric tons of beef from qualified countries starting September 1. The President believes this initiative will lower costs significantly, although it has sparked dissent among ranchers and legislators in farming states.
This investigation is ongoing and updates are expected.