Pilgrim’s Pride to Close 3 Plants; 3,000 Jobless

Pittsburg, Texas-based Pilgrim’s Pride is closing three chicken-processing plants.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December.

The plant closings will impact 3,000 people, or 7% of Pilgrim’s Pride’s US work force. About 430 independent contract growers also will be impacted.

Pilgrim’s Pride said it will reach out to affected staff members by offering them transition assistance and aid finding new jobs.

Pilgrim’s Pride will have 29 plants remaining in the US after the closings.

The shuttered plants are located in Douglas, Georgia; El Dorado, Arkansas; and Farmersville, Louisiana. The closings will take place within the next 60 to 75 days.