Saudi Arabia: JBS expands halal production with $85 million investment

JBS, the Brazilian meat processing giant, has announced a capital injection of $85 million to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Saudi Arabia, positioning the country as a strategic hub for its halal operations.

The investment encompasses the expansion of the company’s processed food facility in Jeddah and upgrades to its existing plant in Dammam. According to the company, the Jeddah unit (which focuses on breaded chicken products such as nuggets) is set to double its capacity by the end of 2026, targeting an annual output of 40,000 tonnes. The initiative also includes a strategic partnership with the Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (Entaj) to produce whole chickens and poultry cuts for the local market.

João Campos, president of JBS subsidiary Seara, commented: “By investing in local production in Jeddah, we strengthen food security, expand halal capacity, and support Vision 2030 through resilient supply chains and the development of local talent. Saudi Arabia allows us to rely on a scalable halal center that increases supply chain resilience and supports growth in the Middle East and North Africa […] while reinforcing our commitment to sustainable food security worldwide”.

JBS, which has operated in the region for over 30 years through exports, stated that the expansion will create approximately 500 new jobs. The move comes as the company seeks to reduce reliance on imports and serve growing demand across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Source: JBS