Smithfield Foods is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the United States.
Smithfield Foods was founded by Joseph W. Luter and his son in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company in Virginia. The company grew by acquiring companies such as Farmland Foods of Kansas and Murphy Family Farms of North Carolina. 
The company uses a vertical integration method of production that lets them control the entire line of production from conception to packing.
Smithfield Foods raises about 15 million pigs a year and processes 27 million animals, producing six billion pounds of pork per year.
The company’s products include fresh pork and processed products including deli meats and prepared foods. Products are marketed under the brand names Armour, Eckrich, Cook’s, Farmland, John Morrell, Patrick Cudahy, Gwaltney, and Healthy Ones.
In 2013 Smithfield Foods was acquired by China’s largest meat producer, Shuanghui International.
Smithfield Foods is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the United States.
Smithfield Foods was founded by Joseph W. Luter and his son in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company in Virginia. The company grew by acquiring companies such as Farmland Foods of Kansas and Murphy Family Farms of North Carolina.
History
The company uses a vertical integration method of production that lets them control the entire line of production from conception to packing.
Smithfield Foods raises about 15 million pigs a year and processes 27 million animals, producing six billion pounds of pork per year.
The company’s products include fresh pork and processed products including deli meats and prepared foods. Products are marketed under the brand names Armour, Eckrich, Cook’s, Farmland, John Morrell, Patrick Cudahy, Gwaltney, and Healthy Ones.
In 2013 Smithfield Foods was acquired by China’s largest meat producer, Shuanghui International.