Brazil: JBS to invest $150 million in Oman multi-protein hub

JBS, the Brazilian meat processing giant, has announced a $150 million investment to establish a major multi-protein production platform in Oman.

Through a joint venture with Oman Food Capital (OFC), the agri-food investment arm of the Oman Investment Authority, JBS has acquired an 80% stake in a new holding company that consolidates two significant production assets. The investment will primarily fund the completion of the A’Namaa integrated poultry plant in Ibri, northern Oman, alongside a beef and lamb processing unit in Thumrait operated by Al Bashayer Meat Company.

Once fully operational, the facilities are expected to reach a combined annual capacity of approximately 300,000 tonnes, with daily processing projected at 1,000 cattle, 5,000 lambs, and 600,000 poultry. According to the company, production of red meat is slated to begin within six months, while poultry operations will follow within a year.

“With food self-sufficiency targets imposed by governments such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, producing locally has become mandatory for companies that want to be relevant in the Middle East”, said Gilberto Tomazoni, global CEO of JBS. He added that the foundation in Oman would allow the firm to access nearby regional markets and position the country as a strategic platform for Halal food exports.

The initiative, which aligns with the Oman Vision 2040 economic strategy, is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs over the next five years. The move marks the company’s first upstream investment in the region and follows previous expansion activity, including a recent $85 million investment in its Jeddah manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

Source: JBS / ESM / The AgriBiz