Coming Soon: $87.5M Beef Price-Fixing Settlement

Consumers who purchased beef products for personal use between Aug. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2019, in certain states or jurisdictions may qualify to submit a claim for a cash payment from a class action settlement. This settlement is part of the In re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation, a case currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Cargill Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc. agreed to pay a combined $87.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging they participated in a conspiracy to limit competition and raise the price of beef products for consumers. Counsel filed motions to preliminarily approve the settlements in federal court on Oct. 6, 2025.

The settlements are the culmination of several years of litigation between the plaintiffs and Tyson and Cargill. However there are multiple defendants in the case that have not settled and will continue to litigate. The nonsettling defendants are JBS USA Food Co., Swift Beef Co., JBS Packerland Inc., and National Beef Packing Co. LLC.

Who is eligible for a beef indirect purchaser payout?

Class members are individual consumers or entities who meet the following criteria:

• They indirectly purchased fresh or frozen beef made from chuck, loin, rib or round primal cuts.
• Indirectly purchased means they purchased beef at a grocery store, supermarket, meat market or similar retailer and not directly from the defendants.

• They purchased the products between Aug. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2019.
• They purchased the products for personal consumption and not for resale.
• They purchased the products in one of these states or jurisdictions: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia or Wisconsin.

What products are excluded from the settlement?

The following beef products are not included:

• Products marketed as USDA Prime, organic, 100% grass-fed, Wagyu or American-Style Kobe Beef
• Specialty beef, such as no antibiotics ever, antibiotic-free, kosher, halal or certified humane
• Processed beef, including ground, marinated, seasoned, flavored, breaded or cooked beef
• Products containing ingredients other than beef (except for salt or water)

How much is the class action settlement payment?

Pro rata cash payment: Claimants will receive a cash payment from the net settlement fund. The settlement administrator will determine each class members's payment amount by calculating the number of beef purchases they claim compared to the total number of beef purchases all class members claim.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a payment, class members will need to submit a claim form. The online and PDF claim forms will be available on the settlement website after the settlement receives preliminary approval.

Class members must submit or postmark their claim form by the deadline, which will be announced at a later date.

Is proof required to submit a claim?

No, supporting documentation will not be required to submit a claim. However, the settlement administrator may request additional information if necessary.

Payout options

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Walmart electronic gift card
• Kroger electronic gift card
• Amazon electronic gift card
• Starbucks electronic gift card
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

$87.5 million beef price-fixing settlement fund

Tyson settled for $55,000,000 and Cargill settled for $32,500,000 for a total settlement fund of $87,500,000. The fund will cover:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $1,772,000
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $29,166,667
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $15,000,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $2,000 each
• Payments to eligible class members: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Preliminary approval hearing: Date to be scheduled by the court in the near future
• Notice date: Approximately 75 days after preliminary approval is granted
• Claim deadline: To be determined after preliminary approval is granted
• Final hearing: To be determined

When is the beef indirect purchaser class action settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments after it resolves appeals and the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The antitrust class action lawsuit alleged that several major beef processors, including Cargill and Tyson, conspired to limit competition in the beef market, resulting in higher prices for consumers. The plaintiffs claimed the companies entered into a market allocation agreement and stopped competing for market share, which allegedly increased their profit margins and the prices paid by consumers.

Tyson and Cargill deny any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risk of continued litigation and the possibility of a trial.

What happens next?

The court will schedule a preliminary approval hearing. Once the hearing takes place and the judge grants preliminary approval of the settlement, the settlement administrator will establish a claim deadline and add the claim form to the settlement website.

Sources

1. Official settlement website FAQ page
2. Long-form settlement agreements and court filings