As U.S. producer Smithfield warned of meat shortages unless plants stayed open, workers contracted Covid-19 and exports to China surged.
Products of Smithfield, acquired by WH Group, the largest pork company in the world. Credit: REUTERS/Bobby Yip
A few of Smithfield Foods' massive pork-processing plants turned into Covid-19 hotspots soon after the virus reached the United States. Employees at the plants typically work in conditions that make it easy for the virus to spread: close quarters, cool temperatures, and constant air circulation. Social distancing measures are hard to implement without slowing down operations.
By mid-April, employees of Smithfield’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota, plant accounted for half of its count
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