SÃO PAULO — Brazilian meatpacker BRF SA announced plans to build a new processing facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a $160-million investment.

The project is a partnership between the company and the Halal Products Development Co. (HPDC), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.

“The plant will not only meet growing domestic demand for further-processed products but also reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on imported goods by offering high-quality, locally manufactured alternatives,” said Fahad Alnuhait, chief executive officer for HPDC. “It directly supports HPDC’s broader mandate to develop the halal ecosystem and position the Kingdom as the global hub for halal products.”

The joint venture of BRF Arabia Holding Co., which started in 2023, is 70% owned by BRF and 30% by HPDC.

BRF announced in a statement that the production capacity for the facility would be approximately 40,000 tonnes per year of processed foods. The products will initially be made for the Saudi market with exports to other countries in the region in the future.

Operations are scheduled to start in mid-2026 with the possibility of future expansion, which could double capacity.

The new operation will be BRF’s seventh production unit in the Middle East and the third in Saudi Arabia.

“The investment represents another consistent advance in our global presence strategy and strengthens our operations in a highly strategic market for the company, as well as consolidates our partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its food safety agenda,” said Marcos Molina, chairman of the boards of directors of Marfrig and BRF.

When completed the operation is expected to add 500 jobs in the region and use raw materials from Brazil.

In January, BRF invested in another Saudi Arabia-based poultry company when it acquired a 26% stake in Addoha Poultry Co.