DOURADOS, Brazil – JBS SA, the world’s largest meat processor, announced plans to significantly expand its processing capabilities in Brazil at a total cost of R1.167 billion ($301.5 million), according to the Mato Grasso do Sul state government website.

The São Paulo, Brazil-based processor will spend R500 million ($130 million) to double processing capacity at the company’s pork processing facility in Dourados. The project is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs and should be completed in late 2016.


New production lines are in the works for two chicken processing plants in Sidrolândia and Caarapó. JBS estimates production volumes to increase to 1,398 tons per month and 315 tons per month respectively. Itaporã will be the site of one of the largest turkey plants in Latin America. JBS acquired Pedro Bonita, a cold storage complex, with the intention of renovating and modernizing the facility to support incubators, barns, sheds and other production necessities. Investment at Pedro Bonita will total R490 million ($127 million), and completion of the project is set for early 2018.

Finally, JBS has secured an agreement with the Bank of Brazil for R10.8 million ($2.8 million) in financing for infrastructure development.