MINNEAPOLIS — Cargill in Central America has combined its operations with Corporacion Pipasa, a leading poultry and meat processor in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and is now a part of Cargill. All regulatory approvals have been completed. Terms of the transaction were not made public.

Pipasa processes beef, pork, chicken and turkey products in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The company operate five processing plants, four animal feed facilities and 12 distribution centers. It is also is a leader in the region in feed for cattle, aquaculture, poultry, pork, horses and household pets. The company’s key brands include Pipasa for poultry, Tiquicia for cold cuts and As Can for pet food.


Combining with Pipasa will be an important addition to Cargill’s existing retail-branded business in Central America that processes and distributes chilled and frozen poultry and luncheon meats to large and small food retailers throughout Central America.

Cargill processes poultry in Honduras and Nicaragua, and has processed-meat operations in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. Its recognized local brands include: Pollo Norteno and Delicia in Honduras; Tip Top, Delicia and Cinta Azul and Cainsa in Nicaragua; Perry and Premier in Guatemala, and Cinta Azul in Costa Rica.

“Cargill has been involved in the poultry business in Central America for more than 45 years,” said Bruce Burdett, the leader of Cargill’s operations in Central America. “The combination of Cargill and Pipasa will create a business that will help meet the increased demand for high-quality food in Central America.”

Burdett added the long-term outlook for poultry, poultry feed and processed meats is strong. As incomes increase in Central America, more people will add more chicken and processed meats to their diets.