Canadian consumer group files class action on alleged beef price fixing
Beef prices have risen by 16.8% in Canada over the last year
31 March 2022
1 minute read
Option Consommateurs, a Quebec consumer protection group, has filed a class action against four major beef processors in Canada and the United States regarding an alleged beef price-fixing conspiracy.
According to a press release from the group, the lawsuit targets US beef processors and their Canadian subsidiaries, Cargill, JBS Food Company, Tyson Foods and National Beef Packing Company.
These beef giants, which control 85% of the Canadian market and 80% of the US market, have reportedly been plotting since at least 2015 to fix the price of beef.
“In this time of high inflation, it is unacceptable to make the price of beef even more expensive than it already is," said Sylvie De Bellefeuille, lawyer and budget advisor at Option Consommateurs. "This situation affects everyone who buys this meat."
According to Statistics Canada, the price of beef has risen by 16.8% over the past year in grocery stores.
Anyone who has purchased beef in Quebec since 1 January 2015 is covered by this legal action.
This class action has not yet been authorised by the court.
