JBS invests $12m to expand two Brazilian meat facilities

JBS has invested BRL45 million ($12 million) to expand production at two of its Brazilian meat production facilities, as the company aims to meet increased demand from the Chinese market.

The investment will modernise equipment and double the production capacity at the company’s meat facilities in Iturama and Ituitaba, Minas Gerais, both of which produce beef products for export and for the domestic market.

China is one of the main export destinations for Brazilian beef, and JBS says that the investment has been made “to better serve the Chinese market”. JBS has been exporting beef to the country since 2015.

As well as enhancing its Chinese export operations, JBS says that the additional output from the expansions will also help it serve its customers in Europe and within the domestic market.

Renato Costa, CEO of JBS Carnes said: “We have doubled the production volume at these two units to comply with all our export certificates, but particularly because we believe China is a very strong market.

“When we look at total exports so far this year and compare them with last year, volumes have risen 125%”.