Perdue Farms, a leading turkey and poultry processor, recently announced that it will be laying off nearly 300 employees at its Washington, Indiana, plant. This decision comes as the company adjusts its production in response to challenges such as bird flu outbreaks and a shift in consumer preferences towards other types of meat.
The affected employees are part of the plant’s second shift, which will be eliminated on October 10th, according to a WARN notice issued by Perdue Farms. However, the company clarified that this layoff will not impact its other operations in Indiana, which include a feed mill, grain receiving facility, hatchery, and breeder operations.
A spokesperson for Perdue Farms explained that changes in consumer demand, decreasing turkey flocks, and operational efficiencies have all contributed to the need for this restructuring at the Washington plant. The company is striving to adapt to the evolving market conditions and ensure its long-term sustainability in the industry.
The broader trend in the U.S. poultry industry reflects a decline in turkey production, with forecasts predicting a drop below 5 billion pounds in 2025. Last year, the country produced 6.6 billion pounds of turkey meat, the lowest amount in three decades. Factors such as bird flu outbreaks, inflation, and changing consumer preferences have all impacted the demand for turkey products.
In response to these challenges, many meat and poultry processors, including Perdue Farms, have been closing plants and laying off workers to streamline operations and align supply with production. For instance, Perdue closed a chicken production plant in Tennessee earlier this year, leading to the displacement of over 400 employees.
Similarly, other major players in the meat industry, such as Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods, have also made significant operational changes. Tyson Foods has closed multiple facilities in recent years, affecting thousands of workers, while Smithfield Foods has been selling off pigs to recover losses in hog production and focus on packaged meats.
Overall, the ongoing shifts in the meat and poultry sector highlight the need for companies to adapt to changing market conditions, optimize their operations, and remain competitive in a challenging business environment. Perdue Farms’ decision to lay off employees at its Indiana plant is a reflection of these broader industry trends and the company’s commitment to sustainable growth in the long term.
