CALIFORNIA — Swift Beef Company notified the California Employment Development Department (EDD) that it was laying off 374 employees and permanently closing its Riverside plant effective February 2, 2026.
The JBS-owned facility processes beef products destined for grocery stores and other customers.
JBS said production from the Riverside plant will move to other facilities without disrupting customer supply.
Affected employees will be offered positions at other JBS plants with relocation support. Those who opt not to relocate will receive a 60-day notice.
Beef prices expected to rise through 2026
According to reports, JBS’s decision to close the Riverside plant is part of a broader company strategy to optimize and simplify its operations.
The plant’s closure coincides with historically low U.S. cattle inventories, a factor that has helped drive beef prices higher.
Cattle raising and finishing operations are below capacity due to a shrinking U.S. cow herd, leading to fewer calves and reduced beef production.
USDA data show U.S. cattle inventories at 11.124 million head as of July.
Industry experts expect beef prices to keep rising through 2026, with producers benefiting from tight supply and strong demand.
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