Cargill CEO Testifies Before U.S. House Agriculture Committee

Cargill CEO Dave MacLennan appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture on April 27, 2022, to discuss the challenges facing the global food system. MacLennan highlighted the sector's resilience through recent global disruptions, including the pandemic and extreme weather events.

During his testimony, MacLennan acknowledged the significant impact of rising prices on consumers, stating that meat prices are not immune to global inflationary factors. He attributed price increases to supply and demand dynamics, labor constraints, transportation challenges, and escalating feed costs.

Focusing on Cargill's North American protein business, which employs over 28,000 people across 19 states, MacLennan emphasized its role in supplying protein to American families. He detailed how the company is addressing labor shortages through wage increases and benefits and investing in plant efficiency and safety.

MacLennan also affirmed Cargill's commitment to competition and fair markets, noting that the company consistently purchases one-third of its cattle on a cash basis. He reiterated Cargill's long-standing mission, dating back to its founding in 1865, to provide markets for farmers and ranchers, emphasizing that producer success is integral to the company's own.