Perdue Farms Statements on Incident at Cofield, NC Feed Mill

4:30pm EST

Perdue’s Cofield, North Carolina facility remains closed as the investigation and structural safety assessments continue following the February 21 explosion.

We continue to cooperate fully with local authorities as they conduct their work. Our internal review is also underway, and we are engaging independent third-party experts to support a thorough assessment of the incident and facility conditions. It is premature to comment on the cause. We remain grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and professionally in response to the incident.

This remains a very difficult time for our team and the broader Cofield community. Four associates were onsite at the time of the explosion. Two were treated and released from the hospital, one remains hospitalized, and tragically, one member of our team died. Our entire organization is mourning this loss, and our thoughts remain with his family, loved ones, and all of our associates who are grieving.

Perdue’s senior leadership team has been onsite this week meeting directly with associates to listen, answer questions, and reinforce our commitment to open and transparent communication. Our immediate focus continues to be supporting our associates and their families. We are providing resources and assistance to those directly impacted, and are actively working to redeploy Perdue associates at the Cofield facility affected by the closure to other opportunities and/or supplement their income during this transitionary period.  

Cofield has been part of Perdue’s grain, oilseed, and feed operations since the mid-1970s. For decades, we have worked alongside chicken farmers and grain producers across the region, and the facility has played an important role in supporting the local agricultural community.

We have business continuity plans in place and are utilizing other feed manufacturing resources within our network to continue producing feed and ensure our contracted growers have what they need while the facility remains closed. 

At every Perdue facility, safety is paramount. We maintain rigorous standards through a comprehensive safety and compliance framework and will continue to evaluate our operations carefully as more information becomes available.

Out of respect for our associates and their privacy, we are not sharing additional employment or personal details at this time.

We will continue to update this website as appropriate.

February 22, 2026 5:30pm EST

We are deeply saddened to confirm that the associate who was unaccounted for following Saturday’s explosion at our Cofield, North Carolina facility has died. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult moment for them and for many across our company, and we are providing support as they grieve this loss. 

We are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and professionally, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate what happened. Our focus remains on the safety of our people and supporting those affected.

February 22, 2026 2pm EST

Emergency response teams remain onsite at the Perdue Feed Mill facility in Cofield, North Carolina following the explosion early yesterday morning. Our focus remains on the safety of our team members, first responders, and the surrounding community.

One associate remains unaccounted for, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time. First responders are leading an active recovery effort. Three other associates were onsite during the incident and were evaluated by medical personnel yesterday. One was transported by air with injuries, one was treated and released, and one sustained no injuries. Out of respect for their privacy and their families, we will not be sharing additional details about their conditions.

The condition of the facility presents significant structural hazards, requiring the emergency response crews to move carefully and bring in highly specialized equipment to protect those involved in the search and on the ground.

We are continuing to support emergency personnel and will provide regular updates through this webpage as they are confirmed.

February 21, 2026 at 7pm EST

Early this morning, an explosion occurred at the Perdue Feed Mill facility on Perdue Road in Cofield, NC. Emergency response teams are currently onsite. Our highest priority remains the safety of our team members, first responders, and the surrounding community.

Four associates were onsite at the time of the incident. We are assessing the extent of any injuries, and one associate has not yet been accounted for. We are in direct contact with their families and are doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time. 

“Our focus is on the associates affected by this incident and on supporting their families,” said Andrea Staub, Senior Vice President, Perdue Farms Corporate Communications. “We are also grateful to the first responders and local emergency teams who responded quickly and remain onsite.”

Perdue will continue to cooperate fully with all local officials and emergency response teams.