Who are the Top 10 Food and Beverage Manufacturers in the US?

Food and beverage manufacturers help make the world go round, processing raw materials into value-added forms that are easier to work with or eat for the average busy consumer. Every year Food Processing releases a comprehensive list gathering together the Top 100 food and beverage manufacturers in the United States. But our question is: who cracked the Top 10?

All of the big names are there—and while consumers might not know hyper familiar with corporations like JBS USA or ConAgra, they certainly know the consumer brands that fall within their portfolios (Swift meats by the former and Libby’s, Chef Boyardee, and Healthy Choice by the latter—to name just a few). According to the publication, its most recent list has been governed by a year of instability, from commodity issues to changing consumer trends. The top manufacturers are those who have been able to effectively navigate these concerns and make the right choices to maintain a lead—like top manufacturer Tyson’s acquisition of Hillshire Brands to add strength to its prepared and value added categories.

For 2014, it’s interesting to note that the top four contenders did not budge in their positions compared to where they stood in 2013. Between PepsiCo’s strong and steady organic revenue growth and JBS’s acquisition of strong growing brands like Primo Smallgoods Group, we’re predicting similar results when Food Processing publishes its lineup for 2015. Meanwhile Coca-Cola shot up several spots, and its successful Coca-Cola Life launch and growth in developing markets signals further good times ahead. Beyond the Top 10 list, another pertinent observation is Boston Beer Company’s debut at No. 100 on the list, a sign of changing trends in the beer industry. But that’s a story for another time. For now, here are the ten businesses at the very top of the industry:

1. PepsiCo

Sales: $37.8 billion

2013 Ranking: #1

2. Tyson Foods

Sales: $33 billion

2013 Ranking: #2

3. Nestle

Sales: $27.3 billion

2013 Ranking: #3

4. JBS USA

Sales: $22.1 billion

2013 Ranking: #4

5. Coca-Cola Company

Sales: $21.6 billion

2013 Ranking: #11

6. Anheuser-Busch InBev

Sales: $16 billion

2013 Ranking: #5

7. Kraft Foods Inc.

Sales: $14.3 billion

2013 Ranking: #6

8. Smithfield Foods Inc.

Sales: $12.5 billion

2013 Ranking: #8

9. General Mills

Sales: $12.5 billion

2013 Ranking: #7

10. ConAgra Foods

Sales: $11.5 billion

2013 Ranking: #12