BEIJING –Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods confirmed plans to add another 50,000 tonnes to its annual meat processing capacity in China. Hormel operates in China through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hormel (China) Investment Co., Ltd. Asian Agribiz first reported on the expansion.

Hormel China’s current processing capacity stands at a combined 25,000 tonnes. The China subsidiary is opening a new facility by the end of the year in the country’s Zhejiang province. Swen Neufeldt, president, Asia Pacific, Hormel Foods International, said the facility will produce SPAM locally in China.

Hormel Foods began operations in China in 1994 through Beijing Hormel Foods Co. Ltd., a joint venture with Beijing Capital Agricultural Group Co., Ltd., and Shanghai Hormel Foods Co. Ltd., a joint venture with Shanghai Shangshi Meat Products Co., according to the company’s website. The company currently operates in China through Hormel (China) Investment Co., Ltd. The unit is a leading supplier of Western- and Chinese-style processed meats and peanut butter to retail and food service operators throughout China.