Fact check: Is tyson food closing 5 plants this year

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, Tyson Foods is not closing 5 plants this year. Multiple sources consistently report that the company is closing three U.S. processing plants, not five ^[1]. One source specifically mentions that Tyson is closing two small plants in Philadelphia and one plant in Emporia, Kansas, totaling three plant closures ^[2]. Another analysis confirms three facilities are being shuttered, with closures set for the end of 2024 ^[3].

The closures are resulting in significant job losses, with approximately 1,000 workers being laid off across these three facilities ^{[1] [3]}. One specific example mentioned is the closure of Tyson's plant in Perry, Iowa, which had a major impact on the local community as the town's largest employer ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the broader impact of these closures. The analyses reveal that these plant closures are affecting not just direct employees but also contract growers who are left with uncertainty and massive loans in the wake of Tyson's decisions ^[5]. This suggests the closures have ripple effects throughout the agricultural supply chain.

Additionally, the question doesn't consider Tyson's overall financial performance and strategic direction. The company has reported second quarter 2025 results ^[6], which could provide context for why these closures are occurring - whether they're part of cost-cutting measures, efficiency improvements, or responses to market conditions.

The timing context is also missing - while some sources mention closures "set for the end of 2024" ^[3], the question asks specifically about "this year" without clarifying whether it refers to 2024 or 2025.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement contains factual inaccuracy by claiming Tyson is closing 5 plants when multiple sources consistently report only 3 plant closures ^{[1] [2]}. This represents a 67% overstatement of the actual number of closures.

This type of misinformation could serve various interests:

• Labor unions might benefit from inflating closure numbers to emphasize job losses and rally support
• Competitors could use exaggerated closure figures to suggest Tyson is in worse financial condition than reality
• Media outlets might amplify higher numbers to create more dramatic headlines and increase engagement

The misinformation also lacks temporal precision, failing to specify which year is being referenced, which could lead to confusion about whether these are historical closures or future plans.