JBS Acquires 48.5% Stake in Mantiqueira for R$ 1.9 Billion, Enters Egg Market

Jan 27, 2025, 01:04 PM

JBS SA, the world's largest meat producer, has entered the egg sector by acquiring a 48.5% equity stake and 50% voting control in Mantiqueira, the largest egg producer in South America. The transaction values Mantiqueira at R$ 1.9 billion. This move marks JBS's expansion into a sixth protein category, complementing its existing operations in beef, poultry, pork, salmon, and alternative proteins. The acquisition is seen as a strategic step to leverage Mantiqueira's established brands like 'Happy Eggs' and 'Fazenda da Toca', and its export capabilities to South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The partnership with Mantiqueira, which has a flock of 17.5 million hens producing 4 billion eggs annually, is expected to facilitate JBS's entry into the U.S. egg market. Leandro Pinto will remain as chairman, and Márcio Utsch will continue as CEO of Mantiqueira. The deal also comes at a time when global egg consumption is on the rise, with recent health research supporting the nutritional benefits of eggs.