FDBusiness.com

US-based Tyson Foods, which is one of the world’s largest food companies and a global leader in protein, has agreed to acquire the Thai and European operations of BRF, the Brazilian meat group, for US$340 million. The purchase includes four processing facilities in Thailand, one processing facility in the Netherlands and one processing facility in the United Kingdom. The deal builds on the company’s growth strategy to expand offerings of value-added protein in global markets.

“As noted when we acquired Keystone Foods on November 30, we believe some of our biggest growth opportunities are in value-added foods and international markets,” says Noel White, president and chief executive of Tyson Foods. “In addition to domestic benefits, the Keystone acquisition provided us with a scalable production platform in the Asian poultry market. The acquisition of these BRF facilities will help complement and strengthen our presence in Thailand, and provide new capabilities in Europe, enhancing our ability to serve growing global demand for value-added protein.”

Noel White, president and chief executive of Tyson Foods.

The vertically integrated poultry operations in Thailand include a feed mill, hatchery, breeder farms and contract growing operations supplying live birds for the four poultry processing facilities. These four plants produce a wide range of fresh and frozen, value-added raw and fully cooked poultry products including highly specialized cuts for retail and foodservice customers throughout Asia and other export markets, including Europe.

The processing locations in the Netherlands and the UK are supported by in-house innovation capabilities for developing further-processed chicken products for retail and foodservice customers throughout Europe. Products are sold under GrabitsTM, Hot ‘N’ Kickin’Chicken®, Speedy Pollo® and the Sadia® brands, in addition to key customer-owned brands.

“It’s estimated that approximately 90 percent of global protein consumption growth will occur outside the United States, with 60 percent of the volume growth coming from Asia over the next five years,” says Donnie King, group president of International for Tyson Foods. “Increasing our international footprint with in-country operations and export capabilities will help Tyson Foods strategically access new markets and better serve the growing global demand for our value-added protein.”