Smithfield Foods has unveiled plans to replace its century-old facility in South Dakota with a modern packaged meats and fresh pork processing plant in Sioux Falls. This significant investment aims to enhance operations within the food and beverage industry.
In a statement released on February 16, the US meat processor, owned by China’s WH Group, confirmed it has initiated the approvals process for what it describes as “the most modern of its kind” in the nation. The proposed facility will be located in Foundation Park, where the existing plant currently operates, pending regulatory approvals.
The projected investment for this new site is estimated at up to $1.3 billion over the next three years. Smithfield Foods’ president and CEO Shane Smith emphasized, “This highly automated facility will represent a major investment in Sioux Falls, the state of South Dakota and the future of American agriculture.” This development aligns with the company’s strategy to optimize and expand its value-added packaged meats and fresh pork operations, delivering innovation and convenience to customers throughout the food and drink business.
Once operational, the new facility is anticipated to generate “significant efficiency gains” in Smithfield’s fresh pork and packaged meats sectors. Furthermore, the project aims to support independent hog farmers, as well as corn and soybean producers, contributing positively to the agricultural supply chain in South Dakota and the surrounding areas. Currently, Smithfield employs 3,200 individuals in Sioux Falls.
Site preparation for the new plant is expected to commence this spring, with groundbreaking scheduled for the first half of the next year. Production is projected to start by the end of 2028, marking a new era in the food and drink consumer trends landscape.
Notably, the proposed Sioux Falls development follows a series of facility closures by Smithfield. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to close its Springfield, Massachusetts plant, impacting 190 employees, as indicated in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice. In 2024, Smithfield also closed a ham-boning facility in Altoona, Iowa, resulting in 314 job losses. Additionally, the Charlotte, North Carolina pork processing plant was shut down in 2023.
In summary, Smithfield Foods’ new facility represents a significant advancement in the food and beverage industry trends, reflecting the company’s commitment to growth and efficiency while supporting local agriculture.
