JBS USA starts US$150 million expansion at Texas beef plant
New fabrication floor and ground beef room planned for Cactus facility
USA – JBS USA has commenced construction on a US$150 million project at its beef processing plant in Cactus, Texas, adding a new fabrication floor and expanding the existing ground beef operations.
The company held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 27 at the Texas Panhandle site, where Chief Executive Officer Wesley Batista Filho said the investment is intended to support the long term position of the company within the United States beef sector and the rural communities connected to its operations.
According to the company, the upgrades are designed to increase throughput, improve workflow inside one of its largest beef plants and expand processing capacity for cattle suppliers and customers across its network.
Construction work is currently in progress, with the expanded areas scheduled to be operational in early 2027.
The Cactus facility employs more than 3,600 workers and purchases about US$3.3 billion worth of cattle each year from regional producers, making it a significant buyer of livestock in the area.
Since 2020, the company has directed more than US$11 million into local initiatives in Cactus through its Hometown Strong and Better Futures programs, funding projects such as park development, upgrades to community infrastructure, support for nonprofit organizations and affordable housing, while also providing tuition assistance for 259 employees and their children pursuing college degrees.
Oman expansion targets regional production
Earlier in February, parent company JBS announced a separate US$150 million investment to expand its footprint in the Middle East through production facilities in Oman.
As part of the plan, the company acquired an 80% stake in a newly formed food holding entity in Oman, with local partner Oman Food Capital retaining the remaining 20% interest in the joint venture.
Company executives said the capital will fund poultry, beef and lamb processing at two locations in Oman, including one site that has been idle for about a year.
Chief Executive Gilberto Tomazoni told reporters that the strategy centers on establishing domestic supply chains in the region, including raising chickens locally and sourcing cattle and lamb from producers in Oman and parts of North Africa rather than relying primarily on imports.
Beef and lamb processing are expected to begin within six months, poultry operations are projected to start within roughly a year and, once fully operational, the two facilities are forecast to produce around 300,000 metric tonnes of meat annually while handling about 1,000 cattle, 5,000 lambs and 600,000 chickens per day.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
