Owensboro Times has confirmed that layoffs have occurred at the Owensboro Cargill facility, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. The reductions are part of Cargill’s broader global restructuring, which involves cutting approximately 5% of its workforce — an estimated 8,000 positions worldwide.
Cargill, a global leader in food production, announced the cuts as part of a strategy to realign talent and resources to better position the company amid challenging market conditions, according to a statement given to national media outlets.
The decision comes less than two years after Cargill acquired Owensboro Grain in early 2023. At the time, Cargill described the purchase as a move to strengthen its oilseed processing capabilities and deepen its relationships in the food and agriculture industries.
In a statement provided to Owensboro Times, Cargill acknowledged the global impact of the layoffs but did not share specific details about the impacts at individual locations, including Owensboro.
“For nearly 160 years, Cargill has been a critical connector of the global food system. Earlier this year, we set a long-term strategy that continues that legacy, while carrying forward the values and core strengths that have defined our success from the beginning,” Chuck Miller, Cargill’s global media and crisis communications lead said in a statement to Owensboro Times. “As we look to the future, we have laid out a clear plan to evolve and strengthen our portfolio to take advantage of compelling trends in front of us, maximize our competitiveness, and, above all, continue to deliver for our customers. As the world around us changes, we are committed to transforming even faster to deliver for our customers and fulfill our purpose of nourishing the world.”
The Owensboro Times reached out to the local office for comment and received confirmation that impacts at the Owensboro facility are part of the global cuts. However, more specific details were not provided.
Cargill is a family-run, privately-held North American agricultural supply chain business based in Minnesota. Owensboro Grain was established in 1906 and grew into a cornerstone of the local economy, employing hundreds of workers and serving a vital role in the agriculture sector.
