The Big Four Just Became Five: Walmart Quietly Captures the Beef Chain

Walmart has spent over $660 million building its own beef empire—from processor to packaging plant to retail shelf. That makes them more than just a grocer; it makes them the fifth major packer, joining Tyson, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef. The press calls it “resilience,” but ranchers know what it really is: vertical consolidation dressed in feel-good PR.