SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL — On Monday Jan. 27, JBS announced its entry into the egg protein segment with the acquisition of 50% of Estrada do Jardim, Brazil-based Mantiqueira Brazil, the largest egg producer in South America. The acquisition strengthens JBS’s global platform and will allow the company to continuously grow. Leandro Pinto, founder of Mantiqueira, will share control of the egg producer.

“This investment is in line with our long-term strategy, which includes diversifying our portfolio by entering new protein segments and investing in branded businesses with added value,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, global chief executive officer of JBS.

JBS currently operates in beef, chicken, pork, aquaculture (salmon) and alternative proteins (plant-based and cultivated) on five continents.

“Egg consumption in the world has shown consistent growth,” Tomazoni said. “It is an affordable, versatile and healthy protein, which reinforces our purpose of feeding the world.”

The largest in the sector in South America and the tenth largest in the world, Mantiqueira Brazil produces 4 billion eggs per year and exports to South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Operations in six states in Brazil employ approximately 3,000 people. Its brand, Happy Eggs, is the fastest growing brand and focuses on free-range hens. Fazenda da Toca leads the organic egg segment.

“We are prepared,” Pinto said. “We are leaders in Brazil, and, with the arrival of JBS, we will have greater access to market opportunities, in addition to obtaining the necessary knowledge to become a relevant competitor outside the country. This union is a milestone in our strategic planning, which has always sought, in addition to organic expansion, entry into new markets.”