JBS Plans to Double Output at New Saudi Chicken Processing Plant by End of 2026
Global meat leader expands capacity in Jeddah to support Saudi Arabia’s food security goals and broaden regional exports
JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, has announced plans to double production output at its newly established chicken processing plant in Jeddah by the end of 2026, in a move aligned with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to enhance domestic food production and reduce dependence on imports.
The Brazilian firm said the expansion will significantly increase the facility’s capacity and bolster its role in supplying both local and regional markets.
The Jeddah plant, which began operations last year after being constructed from the ground up, has already enabled JBS to quadruple its overall production footprint in Saudi Arabia, where it markets beef and chicken products under its Seara brand.
Management highlighted that Seara has become one of the top three brands by market share in the Kingdom, reflecting strong consumer acceptance and growing demand.
The company’s investment, which totals approximately eighty-five million dollars since 2021, also encompasses a facility in Dammam producing beef burgers and other prepared meats.
Joao Campos, chief executive of JBS’s Seara division, said the capacity expansion at Jeddah will help meet rising domestic demand for poultry and reinforce food security objectives that are central to Saudi policy.
The initiative dovetails with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, which emphasises self-sufficiency in strategic sectors including food and agriculture.
From Jeddah, JBS already exports its products to neighbouring markets such as Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, underlining the plant’s importance as a regional hub.
The expansion comes amid growing competition from other global food producers, including rival Brazilian firm MBRF, which has also struck investment deals to develop processing capacity in the Saudi market and is preparing a potential public listing of its local joint venture.
JBS’s plans to boost output at Jeddah signal sustained confidence in the Kingdom’s economic environment and the long-term prospects for the food processing sector.
As global supply chains evolve and Saudi Arabia continues to prioritise local production, the enhanced capacity is expected to contribute to both national food resilience and broader export opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa.
The Brazilian firm said the expansion will significantly increase the facility’s capacity and bolster its role in supplying both local and regional markets.
The Jeddah plant, which began operations last year after being constructed from the ground up, has already enabled JBS to quadruple its overall production footprint in Saudi Arabia, where it markets beef and chicken products under its Seara brand.
Management highlighted that Seara has become one of the top three brands by market share in the Kingdom, reflecting strong consumer acceptance and growing demand.
The company’s investment, which totals approximately eighty-five million dollars since 2021, also encompasses a facility in Dammam producing beef burgers and other prepared meats.
Joao Campos, chief executive of JBS’s Seara division, said the capacity expansion at Jeddah will help meet rising domestic demand for poultry and reinforce food security objectives that are central to Saudi policy.
The initiative dovetails with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, which emphasises self-sufficiency in strategic sectors including food and agriculture.
From Jeddah, JBS already exports its products to neighbouring markets such as Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, underlining the plant’s importance as a regional hub.
The expansion comes amid growing competition from other global food producers, including rival Brazilian firm MBRF, which has also struck investment deals to develop processing capacity in the Saudi market and is preparing a potential public listing of its local joint venture.
JBS’s plans to boost output at Jeddah signal sustained confidence in the Kingdom’s economic environment and the long-term prospects for the food processing sector.
As global supply chains evolve and Saudi Arabia continues to prioritise local production, the enhanced capacity is expected to contribute to both national food resilience and broader export opportunities across the Middle East and North Africa.
