Who owns Smithfield Foods?

Smithfield Foods is owned by the WH Group, a Chinese pork and meat processing company based in Hong Kong. The company was acquired in 2013 by the WH Group (formerly Shuanghui International) for $4.7 billion. Despite being foreign-owned, Smithfield operates as a subsidiary with US-based management, and the WH Group remains the primary controller with roughly 93% ownership.

Who is the owner of Smithfield?

Smithfield Foods became a wholly- owned subsidiary of Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, creating a leading global pork enterprise. The following year, Shuanghui International Holdings Limited was renamed WH Group.

Who is the largest shareholder of Smithfield Foods?

As of April 2025, WH Group, a publicly listed entity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 0288.HK), maintains substantial control over Smithfield Foods. WH Group beneficially owns nearly 93% of Smithfield Foods' outstanding shares, solidifying its position as the primary Smithfield Foods owner.

Who owns most of the pork industry in the United States?

Who's the Largest Pork Producer in the United States? The largest pork producer in the U.S. is Smithfield Foods. Though it was founded and is based in the U.S., Smithfield was purchased in 2013 by a Chinese company called the WH Group, which still owns it today.

Is Smithfield family owned?

Smithfield Foods, Inc., is a Chinese-owned pork producer and food-processing company based in Smithfield, Virginia. Founded in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company by Joseph W. Luter and his son, the company is the largest pig and pork producer in the world.

Smithfield Foods acquires iconic Nathan's Famous | BUSINESS

When did Chinese buy Smithfield Foods?

Smithfield's Chinese Ownership, Explained

But in 2013, WH Group, formerly known as Shuanghui International Holding Limited, one of China's largest meat producers, purchased Smithfield outright for $4.7 billion.

Does China buy pork from the US?

Large Chinese producers and smaller hog farmers raise 97% of the pork to feed their population, but they look to the European Union, the United States, and Canada to round out the remaining 3%. Approximately 1% of their imports come from the U.S. – equaling roughly 496 thousand metric tons worth $1.1 billion.

What is the biggest meat company in the US?

Tyson Foods

on a list of the world's top food brands by brand value. One of the biggest product segments of Tyson Foods is fresh and processed chicken meat. Of all the companies in the U.S. processed chicken market, Tyson generated the highest level of sales.

Which bacon comes from China?

Lop Yuk and Sam Gyup Sal

In China, bacon is known as “lop yuk.” Unlike bacon in the United States, Chinese-style bacon usually originates from pork loin instead of belly. The bacon is then salted and cured, before being sold in markets throughout the country.

How much does the CEO of Smithfield Foods make?

SEC filings show Smithfield Foods CEO made $14.9 million in 2024.

How much is Joe Luter's net worth?

Joseph W. Luter III of Smithfield and Washington, $75 million.

What American food brands does China own?

These Iconic Food Brands Are Owned By Chinese Companies

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• Armour. Anatoliy Tesouro/Shutterstock. ...
• Smithfield. rblfmr/Shutterstock. ...
• Nathan's Famous. PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock. ...
• Filippo Berio. RSL_89/Shutterstock. ...
• Vita Coco. Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock. ...
• Voss. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images.

Why is the Smithfield market closing down?

In a surprising turn of events, the world-famous meat and fish markets might not actually be closing down for good. Phew. The City of London Corporation voted to withdraw its support for the 850-year-old markets in November 2024, meaning they would have to shut forever by 2028.

Where does America get most of its pork from?

At this point in 2025, Mexico remains the top export destination for United States pork (438 thousand MT), Japan follows with 168 thousand MT of pork. While the United States imports minimal pork, Canada and Mexico are the top suppliers of pork to the United States. Canada accounts for a significant majority (70%).

Does the USA buy any food from China?

Despite the rapid growth, less than 1 percent of the U.S. food supply comes from China. For a few specific items, like apple juice, garlic, canned mandarin oranges, fish, and shrimp, China is a major supplier.

Who are the largest shareholders of Smithfield Foods?

These institutions hold a total of 48,825,131 shares. Largest shareholders include Millennium Management Llc, Fmr Llc, Morgan Stanley, Zimmer Partners, LP, Two Sigma Advisers, Lp, Balyasny Asset Management Llc, Walleye Capital LLC, Citadel Advisors Llc, Deutsche Bank Ag\, and BlackRock, Inc. .

Where does China get most of its pork?

In 2024, the main origins of China's Pig Meat imports were: Spain ($607M), Brazil ($533M), Netherlands ($140M), Denmark ($124M), and Canada ($124M). The fastest growing origins for Pig Meat imports in China between 2023 and 2024 was: Argentina ($1.72M).

Did China buy Nathan's hot dogs?

Nathan's Famous, an iconic American hot dog maker that opened its first store in Coney Island more than a century ago, was sold to a Chinese-based pork producer for $450 million. Nathan's Famous, an iconic American hot dog make... Smithfield Meats has been Chinese owned for years.

Which meat is no. 1 in the world?

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world (36%) followed by poultry (33%), beef (24%), and goats/sheep (5%).

Which country has the best pork in the world?

Spain. Some of the best pig breeds can be tracked down to Europe. Spain, sitting on Europe's Iberian Peninsula, is home to “walking olive trees” — Ibérico pigs. Esteemed for their rich and distinctive meat, the flavour of these pigs is developed from being fed acorns and bred in natural, open conditions.