Brazilian multinational JBS announced it will double production capacity at its new poultry plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, before the end of 2026. The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and align with Saudi policy to reduce import dependence by boosting local production.
The plant, operating since 2023 and built from scratch, enabled JBS to quadruple its total capacity in the country, where it sells beef and poultry under the Seara brand. From this base, the company already exports to neighboring markets such as Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. According to João Campos, CEO of Seara, the brand has ranked among the top three in the Saudi poultry segment since its introduction in 2021.
JBS’s growth also includes an agreement with Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment, which will produce part of Seara’s products going forward. The company also operates another plant in Dammam dedicated to burgers and other processed poultry and beef products. Total investment in Saudi Arabia since 2021 amounts to US$ 85 million.
JBS’s move coincides with advances by Brazilian competitor MBRF, which is building its own plant in Jeddah with capacity to process 40,000 tons per year from mid-2026, and plans to list its local joint venture on the Riyadh exchange by 2027 following an agreement with Halal Products Development Company.
Source: Forbes Brasil
