Tyson beef facility in Pasco, Washington closed with the U.S. on the brink of shortages

Tyson Foods Inc. meat plant in Pasco, Washington, closed indefinitely. Team members are undergoing testing for COVID-19. The Tyson plant in Washington produces enough beef in one day to feed four million people, with a capacity of 2,300 cattle a day. Reopening the plant depends upon the outcome of team member testing and how long it takes to get results back. The closure will mean reduced food supplies and presents problems to farmers who have no place to take their livestock. Tyson also closed two of its crucial pork plants. The head of JBS SA, the world’s top meat producer, warned of shortfalls. At least eight major U.S. meat facilities have close during the last few weeks. Combined pork, beef, and poultry supplies in cold-storage facilities now stand equal to roughly two weeks of total American meat production. With most plant shutdowns lasting about 14 days for safety reasons, that means a potential for deficits. Experts saying the country is just weeks away from shortages.@ https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-04-23/tyson-halts-pasco-plant-production-to-test-workers-for-covid-19