Antitrust lawsuits filed against several U.S. pork companies that alleged they conspired to limit supplies in order to boost prices and their own profits have been dismissed by a federal judge in Minneapolis. Chief Judge John Tunheim said that plaintiffs in the case did not show there was “parallel conduct” among the companies that indicated they conspired to rig prices.
The dismissal of cases against Hormel Foods, JBS USA, Smithfield Foods and Tyson Foods and data provider Agri Stats was without prejudice, meaning the plaintiffs would be able to amend their complaints.
The suits contended the companies had reduced production in the years following 2009. But Tunheim said the allegations focused on industry data and public statements but did not have any specific allegations of action to cut production besides Smithfield. "It may be true that some of these defendants cut production in the years following 2009. It may also be true that all of these defendants cut production," he wrote. "The fact that the complaints contain this ambiguity is exactly the problem."
At least one of the attorneys involved said they would amend their complaints.
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