Brazil’s JBS buys rival poultry, pork plant for $2.7-billion

Jun 11, 2013

Brazil’s JBS buys rival poultry, pork plant for $2.7-billion

Brazil’s JBS will acquire Marfrig Alimentos poultry and pork plant for U.S. $2.7-billion. The takeover will make JBS, which is already the world’s largest beef processor, the number one poultry processor as well.

JBS announced Monday, that it will assume debt from Marfrig as part of the deal. Beef is the biggest portion of JBS’s business, accounting for 64% of its revenue. It currently generates 22% of its sales from poultry meat. The deal will boost JBS’s poultry unit, while expanding into pork. JBS entered into the poultry business in May 2012, when it purchased a French poultry company. The agreement will also give JBS a leather operation in Uruguay. The agreement marks a period of consolidation in Brazil’s meat industry.

Sergio Rial who is to become CEO of Marfrig in 2014, said the sale puts the company in the best debt position in years, noting that it will cut the load by 60%. The debt load stands at U.S. $6.1-billion.

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.