JBS to invest $135m in new US sausage plant

Meat giant JBS is to invest $135m in a new sausage plant in Iowa through its US subsidiary, creating 500 jobs on completion.

The company expects construction to start at the Perry site late this year and to complete in late 2026.

Brazil-headquartered JBS said in a statement today (29 May) that the facility will produce some 130m lbs of sausage each year from processing around 500,000 sows.

In the first phase, the plant will employ 250 workers in one shift and the company plans to double the staff count and introduce a second shift in the future.

“This output can feed more than four million people nationwide annually, helping meet growing consumer demand for high-quality protein,” JBS said.

Wesley Batista Filho, the CEO of the US business unit, added: “This investment underscores our commitment to rural America and our confidence in the strength of the US market. We plan to be a long-term partner for Perry and, if approved by the community, the facility will help foster job creation and economic stability in the region.”

Aaron Juergens, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, said in the same statement: “We’re excited to see continued investment in Iowa’s pork industry with the proposed opening of this new processing facility.

“It strengthens our state’s leadership in pork production, creates new opportunities for pork producers, and supports the rural communities that are the backbone of Iowa agriculture.”

JBS USA is headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, and produces meat and poultry products. It is a majority shareholder of poultry producer Pilgrim’s Pride.

In February, JBS unveiled a $200m investment plan to boost beef production at facilities in the US states of Texas and Colorado.

Rival meat processor Tyson Foods announced in March last year it would close its pork facility in Perry, affecting more than 1,200 employees.

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