700 jobs secured in Central Valley meat company merger

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Thursday that 700 jobs were secured ahead of the planned purchase of a meat processing plant in Fresno.

According to state officials, concerns about jobs being lost were raised when Western Valley Meat Company, an affiliate of Central Valley Meat, planned to purchase Cargill Inc.’s culled cattle slaughter and processing plant in Fresno.

Officials say that upon the acquisition of Cargill, Western Valley Meat Company must keep the Fresno plant for 12 months and retain at least 700 workers during that time.

“For dairy farmers, the loss of the Fresno Cargill plant could have meant lower cattle prices and fewer options when selling their cattle,” Bonta said.

Congressman Jim Costa commented on Bonta’s effort to secure the 700 jobs and said he’s grateful that Bonta found a path forward.

“By combining resources and expertise, this acquisition will not only support local dairy farmers but also meet market demand and keep our supply chain intact,” Costa said.

Officials say that Cargill and Central Valley Meat are two of the largest meat facilities in the San Joaquin Valley that slaughter and process non-milk producing or “cull cows.”

In spring 2024, Western Valley Meat agreed to purchase the Cargill facility. Officials say the purchase sparked concerns because with less market pressure processors could suppress prices offered to dairy farmers, or the plant capacity could have disappeared altogether.

According to officials, there was a risk that the Fresno plant could be shut down altogether. If the plant were to close, then local dairy farmers would have fewer options to sell their cattle, and over 700 local jobs associated with the plant would be lost.

Officials say during the 12 months that Western Valley Meat continues to operate the Fresno plant the existing employees will be offered wages and benefits equal to or better than those offered before the merger.

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