Smithfield to Build $1.3 Billion Pork Plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Smithfield Foods has just announced that it is making a significant investment in the Sioux Falls, S.D., area, committing to invest an estimated $1.3 billion over the next three years to build a brand new fresh-pork and packaged meats processing plant in the city, replacing the legacy plant in downtown near the actual Sioux Falls on the Big Sioux River. The new facility will be located in Foundation Park, which is Sioux Falls’ industry hub, north of the city.
Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods, announced the “generational” investment during an event in the city that was also live-streamed online. He also said that moving the facility outside of downtown allows the city to acquire and renovate the current property to further improve the Falls Park area. Smith said construction is expected to begin first half of 2027, with operations anticipated to begin in 2028.
The current, century-old, former John Morrell processing facility on Weber Ave. is the second-largest pork-processing facility in the company’s network currently, Smith told attendees of the event. And the new plant will be the largest combined packaged meats and fresh pork facility in Smithfield’s network with 1.1 million sq. ft. of production space planned.
Smithfield noted that 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.
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.