Which Tyson Chicken Plants Are Closing: Complete Shutdown List & Impact

In recent years, Tyson Foods—America’s largest meat processor—has been shuttering facilities across the country at an alarming rate. If you’re wondering which Tyson chicken plants are closing or have already closed, you’re not alone. As the company continues its “optimization” strategy, thousands of workers have lost their jobs, and communities are feeling the impact. Let’s dive into the details of these closures and what they mean for workers, consumers, and the meat industry.

Tyson’s Recent Chicken Plant Closures

Tyson Foods has closed or announced the closure of at least 6 chicken processing plants since 2023, with more facilities in other meat categories also shutting down. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the chicken plants that have closed:

Chicken Plants Already Closed

• Noel, Missouri – This facility was among the first wave of closures in 2023
• Dexter, Missouri – Another Missouri plant that closed in 2023
• Van Buren, Arkansas – One of two Arkansas plants affected by the closures
• North Little Rock, Arkansas – The second Arkansas facility to be shuttered
• Glen Allen, Virginia – This plant’s closure affected hundreds of workers
• Corydon, Indiana – Part of Tyson’s broader “right-sizing” strategy

These closures have resulted in thousands of job losses across multiple states, predominantly affecting rural communities where alternative employment opportunities are limited.

Why Is Tyson Closing So Many Plants?

There’s not just one reason behind these closures. Tyson is facing a perfect storm of challenges:

• Chicken oversupply – The market has been flooded with chicken, driving down prices
• Rising operational costs – Feed, labor, and energy expenses have all increased
• Aging infrastructure – Many plants are decades old and need costly upgrades
• Corporate “optimization” – Wall Street pressure to boost profits with fewer facilities
• Supply chain issues – Post-pandemic disruptions continue to affect operations

As the company’s spokesperson put it, these decisions reflect Tyson’s “focus on optimizing our network to best serve our customers.” But for affected communities, the impact goes far beyond corporate strategy.

Beyond Chicken: Tyson’s Other Meat Plant Closures

Tyson isn’t just closing chicken plants The company has also shuttered facilities across its beef, pork, and prepared foods divisions

Recent Non-Chicken Plant Closures

• Perry, Iowa – A pork processing plant that closed on June 28, 2024, affecting 1,200 workers
• Philadelphia, PA (Cooked Meat) – Closed December 13, 2024, with 125 jobs lost
• Philadelphia, PA (Raw Meat) – Closed January 31, 2025, affecting 104 workers
• Emporia, Kansas – A beef and pork facility that shut down on June 27, 2025, eliminating 809 jobs

These closures show that Tyson’s restructuring goes beyond just the chicken sector impacting the entire meat processing industry.

The Human Cost of Closures

When Tyson shuts down a plant. the consequences ripple through entire communities

• Job losses – More than 7,700 workers have lost their jobs from these closures
• Community impact – Small towns lose their largest employers
• Limited options – Many workers struggle to find comparable employment
• Economic ripple effects – Local businesses, from restaurants to car dealerships, suffer
• Contract farmers – Some farmers who supplied these plants have lost their contracts

Tyson says it offers severance, job placement assistance, and relocation options where possible. But for many workers in small towns like Perry, Iowa, or Emporia, Kansas, options are severely limited.

One laid-off worker from the Perry plant told me, “They gave us notice, but what good is notice when there’s nowhere else to go? This town revolved around that plant.”

What This Means for Consumers

These closures aren’t just affecting workers—they could impact your grocery bill too:

• Potential price increases – Fewer facilities mean less production capacity
• Supply chain vulnerability – With fewer plants, any disruption has a bigger impact
• Regional availability issues – Some areas may see reduced product availability

While Tyson remains profitable—reporting billions in sales in 2024—these “efficiency” measures could lead to higher meat prices for consumers in the long run.

The Bigger Picture: Industry Trends

Tyson’s plant closures reflect broader trends in the meat processing industry:

• Consolidation – Fewer, larger plants instead of many smaller ones
• Automation – Investing in technology to reduce labor costs
• Centralization – Processing concentrated in fewer locations
• Focus on margins – Prioritizing profitability over volume

This trend isn’t unique to Tyson. Other major meat processors are making similar moves, though Tyson’s closures have been particularly extensive.

What’s Next for Tyson and Its Workers?

Tyson hasn’t announced any immediate plans for additional closures, but industry analysts suggest the company’s restructuring may not be complete.

For workers affected by closures, Tyson has stated:

• They can apply for open positions at other Tyson facilities
• The company will work with state and local officials to provide resources
• Severance packages will be available based on years of service

However, the reality for many workers is much harsher. Relocating to another Tyson plant often means uprooting families, and in small towns, replacement jobs at similar pay scales are scarce.

Timeline of Major Tyson Plant Closures (2023-2025)

What Communities Are Saying

The response from affected communities has been a mix of anger, resignation, and determination to recover:

• Emporia, Kansas officials stated they “plan to collaborate with local organizations and partners to provide resources, job placement assistance and training opportunities” while maintaining that “Emporia’s economy remains stable and resilient.”

• Perry, Iowa residents expressed shock at losing the town’s largest employer, with many questioning the town’s future economic viability.

• Philadelphia workers, many of whom relied on public transportation and union jobs, face particular challenges in finding comparable employment.

Final Thoughts: The Changing Landscape of American Meat Processing

Tyson’s plant closures represent a significant shift in how meat is processed in America. As the company consolidates operations and shuts down older, less efficient facilities, we’re seeing the end of an era where meat processing plants anchored small-town economies across the country.

For consumers wondering about the future availability of Tyson chicken products, the company maintains that these closures are part of an optimization strategy, not a reduction in overall capacity. However, with fewer plants operating, any disruption could have outsized effects on availability and pricing.

If you’ve been affected by a Tyson plant closure or noticed changes in product availability in your area, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.

I’ll continue monitoring this situation and update this article as new information becomes available about additional Tyson plant closures or their impact on workers and communities.

Have you noticed any changes in Tyson chicken availability or pricing in your area? Drop a comment below!

Tyson’s most recent chicken product recall was announced in November 2023, affecting nearly 30,000 pounds of fully cooked, breaded, shaped chicken patties, specifically the “Tyson FULLY COOKED FUN NUGGETS,” due to potential contamination with metal pieces. Other past recalls include a 2021 recall for ready-to-eat chicken products due to potential Listeria contamination and a 2019 recall for millions of pounds of chicken strips due to possible metal contamination. For the most accurate and comprehensive information on current and past recalls, check the official Tyson Foods recall page or the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) website.