JBS on November 21 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian government to build six plants in the country, three of which will be poultry plants.
Under the MoU, JBS will develop a five-year investment plan, including feasibility studies, preliminary project designs, budget estimates and an action plan for supply chain development. The agreement calls for the construction of three poultry plants, two beef plants and one port plant, with an investment of $2.5 billion.
The government of Nigeria in turn would ensure the necessary economic, sanitary and regulatory conditions to make the project a success, per the agreement.
“Our goal is to establish a strong partnership and support Nigeria in addressing food insecurity,” JBS Global CEO Gilberto Tomazoni said. “Our experience in regions where we operate worldwide shows that developing a sustainable food production chain creates a virtuous cycle of socio-economic progress, particularly for vulnerable populations.”
The agreement was made as part of an effort to develop sustainable supply chains for food production in Nigeria, which has a high rate of food insecurity and a growing population, according to projections from the United Nations.
JBS's investment plan in Nigeria will include extensive efforts to develop local supply chains, providing support to small producers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, similar to the company's initiatives with thousands of partners in other regions worldwide.
"Our goal is to collaborate with the Nigerian government to support the implementation of the National Food Security Plan, sharing our expertise in developing sustainable agro-industrial supply chains and best practices to enhance the country's efficiency, productivity, and production capacity," Tomazoni concluded.
JBS, according to information from the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, is the world’s largest poultry producer, having produced about 4.44 million broilers during the past year. Those figures include operations for Seara, Pilgrim’s Pride, Pilgrim’s de Mexico and Moy Park. The company is headquartered in Brazil, but it has operations in six continents.
