Tyson Foods is preparing to close its Eagle Mountain, Utah, facility, according to a filing with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The shutdown is expected to impact 723 employees at Tyson Fresh Meats.
The closure is part of a wider restructuring of the Tyson Foods beef business as the company responds to pressure across the U.S. cattle industry. Tyson stated that a historically tight cattle supply has forced the company to consolidate production and move capacity to other plants. The Eagle Mountain facility, which processed and packaged beef and pork products for retail customers, opened in 2021 following a roughly $300 million investment. At the time of its opening, the company projected the plant would generate an annual local payroll of approximately $44 million.
Tyson Foods noted that the decision is connected to significant cattle shortages, citing U.S. Department of Agriculture cattle inventory information showing that supply pressures remain high. To manage these constraints, the company plans to shift production to other facilities, including locations in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. Tyson also plans to end operations at its beef facility in Joslin, Illinois, and is pursuing the sale of its operation in Pasco, Washington.
Tyson Foods said it intends to provide support during the transition, including assistance for workers interested in applying for available positions at other Tyson facilities. The closure may also impact the local Eagle Mountain economy, as the facility represented a significant source of employment and industrial investment.
