Bui v. Cargill: The Canadian Beef Price-Fixing Case Explained

In recent years, rising food prices have put intense pressure on Canadian households. Bui v. Cargill is a proposed class-action lawsuit that accuses some of the world's biggest meatpacking companies of working together to raise beef prices across Canada. It is one of the most closely watched legal responses to this trend.

This case, now moving forward in British Columbia, could have significant implications for competition law, consumer protection, and the food industry as a whole.

What Is Bui v. Cargill?

Bui v. Cargill, Incorporated, et al. is a proposed class action filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The lawsuit was brought by Giang Bui, a Vancouver resident, on behalf of Canadians who purchased beef products. ¹

Cargill, JBS, Tyson Foods, and National Beef are some of the main defendants. These companies together control a large part of beef processing in North America. ²

The Core Allegations

The lawsuit alleges that the defendant companies:

• Conspired to restrict beef supply

• Coordinated production levels and pricing

• Artificially inflated the price of beef sold to Canadian consumers

According to the plaintiff, this conduct constitutes civil conspiracy, resulting in Canadians paying higher prices for beef than they would have in a competitive market.³ The proposed class includes individuals and businesses in Canada who purchased raw beef products from January 1, 2015 onward. ⁴

Notably, the action does not primarily rely on statutory claims under Canada’s Competition Act, but instead advances a common-law conspiracy claim, which faces a lower evidentiary burden at the certification stage. ⁵

Certification: A Key Milestone

In October 2025, the BC Supreme Court partially certified the proceeding as a class action, allowing the conspiracy claims to move forward. ⁶ Certification does not determine liability, but confirms that the case meets procedural requirements, including:

• A viable cause of action

• An identifiable class

• Common issues among class members

• A class action as the preferable procedure

While certain claims were narrowed, the court concluded it was not “plain and obvious” that the conspiracy allegations would fail. ⁷

Why This Case Matters

1. Consumer Impact

If successful, the lawsuit could lead to damages or settlement compensation for Canadian consumers and businesses who allegedly overpaid for beef products.⁸

2. Industry Accountability

The case highlights ongoing concerns about market concentration in the meatpacking industry, where a small number of firms exert substantial influence over supply chains and pricing. ⁹

3. Legal Precedent

The decision may shape how future Canadian class actions are structured, particularly where plaintiffs pursue civil conspiracy claims alongside - or instead of - the Competition Act claims.¹⁰

Related Proceedings

Parallel or similar beef price-fixing class actions have been initiated in Quebec and the United States, reflecting growing international scrutiny of pricing practices in the global meat industry. ¹¹ Canadian courts are closely monitoring these developments when assessing plausibility and market effects.

What Happens Next?

As the case proceeds, the plaintiffs will be required to present evidence supporting the alleged conspiracy, including:

• Economic and expert analysis of pricing behavior

• Proof of coordinated conduct among defendants

• A workable methodology for assessing damages on a class-wide basis

The defendants deny all allegations and are expected to vigorously challenge both liability and causation.¹²

Conclusion

Bui v. Cargill represents a significant test of whether Canadian consumers can hold powerful multinational food suppliers accountable for alleged anti-competitive behavior. The outcome of this case could have long-lasting effects on competition enforcement and consumer rights in Canada, especially since food prices are still a major public issue.

Footnotes

1. Bui v. Cargill, Incorporated, et al., Supreme Court of British Columbia (Notice of Civil Claim).

2. Richmond News, Canadian consumers advance bid to sue meat giants over alleged beef price-fixing (2025).

3. Plaintiff’s Amended Notice of Civil Claim, Bui v. Cargill.

4. Ibid.

5. See Pro-Sys Consultants Ltd. v. Microsoft Corp., 2013 SCC 57 (certification standard).

6. Bui v. Cargill, Reasons for Judgment (BCSC, Oct. 23, 2025).

7. Ibid.

8. Class Proceedings Act, RSBC 1996, c 50.

9. OECD, Market Concentration and Competition in the Meat Supply Chain.

10. See Godfrey v. Sony Corporation, 2017 SCC 42.

11. Belleau Lapointe, Beef Price-Fixing Class Action (Quebec).

12. Defendants’ Response to Civil Claim, Bui v. Cargill.