JBS announced this Thursday (22) the expansion of its chicken unit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the goal of double chicken production by the end of 2026. The movement is part of a larger investment of US$85 million in the country, which includes the Dammam unit and logistics infrastructure, in addition to the creation of a productive ecosystem to serve the Saudi market and other countries in the region with products halal give the evening mark.
According to João Campos, CEO of Seara, the expansion of the factory in Jeddah is the result of the brand’s rapid acceptance in the local market. “When the unit was opened, our production volume quadrupled in Saudi Arabia. Now we are expanding the plant and will double its capacity,” he said. Currently, the factory produces breaded meats and chicken cuts and already exports to countries in the region, such as Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
The expansion follows a context of growth of Saudi food self-sufficiencywhich increased domestic chicken production from 38% in 2013 to 68% in 2024, expected to exceed 80% in the coming years. For JBS, the objective is not to replace Brazil as a supplier, but preserve commercial relevance in the market and align with Saudi Vision 2030, which guides the country’s industrial and agricultural policies.
In addition to increasing capacity, the company signed a partnership with Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (ENTAJ)which will begin producing fresh chicken under the Seara brand. The initiative will expand the company’s portfolio to retail and food service, reinforcing the brand’s presence in the country.
JBS has been operating in Saudi Arabia for over 30 years with exports of birds produced in Brazil, but the recent strategy focuses on local production and brand building. “We are in multiple proteins and geographies. It is important to participate in markets that are growing, create added value and strengthen the brand”, he stated.
Growth in Saudi Arabia is part of JBS global strategy of geographic diversificationwith investments focused on products with higher added value, reinforcing the company’s presence in priority markets in the Middle East and North Africa.
In March 2025, Bloomberg reported that the company had evaluated the purchase of Al Watania, the largest chicken and egg producer in Saudi Arabia, in a transaction that could reach US$530 million, but the deal did not move forward. However, JBS highlighted that the business is long-term in Saudi Arabia and that they are already evaluating other investments to continue supporting the growth of the brand and our operations in the country.
