Smithfield plans new meat facility in Sioux Falls
Smithfield Foods Inc. announced Monday it has “initiated the approval process to build a new state-of-the-art packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.”
In the announcement, Smithfield described itself as “an American food company and an industry leader in value-added packaged meats and fresh pork,” but it is owned by the WH Group (formerly Shuanghui International), a Hong Kong-based Chinese firm that purchased the company from American owners in 2013.
Smithfield added, “The new facility, which is subject to permitting and other regulatory and design approvals, will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000-plus-acre heavy industrial park located in northwest Sioux Falls, and will replace Smithfield’s existing plant, which has played a central role in the regional economy for more than 100 years. The company currently employs 3,200 people in Sioux Falls, providing $200 million in wages annually, and supports thousands of indirect jobs in agriculture and other sectors.”
Smithfield said its preliminary estimate of the proposed investment is up to $1.3 billion over the next three years, but the investment” is contingent on securing required permits and other regulatory approvals as well as approval of the final facility design by Smithfield’s board of directors.”
Smithfield said it “has worked in partnership with South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.”
Chinese ownership of farmland and other facilities has become controversial in recent years, with the Agriculture Department attempting to get a better picture of foreign ownership of American farmland. But South Dakota leaders expressed enthusiasm about the announcement.
Rhoden, a Republican, said, “Food security equals national security, so food production and processing will continue to play a vital role in South Dakota’s economy. Smithfield’s proposed investment in South Dakota opens up greater opportunity for our state to expand livestock production, and the company’s decision to relocate from downtown Sioux Falls opens up the opportunity to revitalize the downtown riverfront. This is a win-win-win-win for producers, the company, the city, and the state of South Dakota.”
TenHaken said, “Today’s announcement marks a historic moment for our city and state. For more than a century, Smithfield has been a cornerstone of our community, and this new, state-of-the-art facility reaffirms their long-term commitment to Sioux Falls and the region — supporting our ag economy and thousands of local jobs for generations to come. This investment by Smithfield unlocks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redevelop the existing site in downtown Sioux Falls when the time is right.”
Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, said, “Smithfield’s investment in a new facility in Sioux Falls will have a transformational impact on our community and our agriculture economy. The new facility will bring skilled jobs for Smithfield’s workforce, provide renewed value-added agriculture opportunities for regional producers and create an incredible redevelopment opportunity in downtown Sioux Falls. We’re grateful for Smithfield’s commitment to Sioux Falls and are looking forward to welcoming them to their new home in Foundation Park.”
Foundation Park is the state’s largest industrial park, at the intersection of Interstates 29 and 90 in Sioux Falls. If the project is approved, site work is expected to begin in the spring of 2026, with initial groundbreaking anticipated in the first half of 2027 and production expected to begin at the end of 2028.