JBS Expands Saudi Arabia Operations, Positioning the Kingdom as a Global Halal Export Hub

Manal Saleh

Part of a capital investment of US$ 85 million, the new Jeddah facility reinforces localization, food security, and export capacity across key halal markets.

22 January 2026 - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – JBS, one of the world’s largest food companies, today announced a major expansion of its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Saudi market and its ambition to position the Kingdom as a central hub for halal food production and exports serving the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and global markets.

JBS operates in Saudi Arabia through its Seara business, with integrated manufacturing, distribution, and sales capabilities serving retail, foodservice, and wholesale customers nationwide.

The expansion includes a strategic partnership with Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (ENTAJ) to launch a line of whole chickens and other poultry cuts in Saudi Arabia. This represents a key milestone in the company’s regional growth strategy.

The new facility, operating since 2025, already exports to other countries in the region, including Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates. The expansion plans underway will double its output by 2026. The project supports Vision 2030 objectives related to localization, food security, and non-oil export growth.

The expansion has a direct impact on the local labor market, generating 500 direct jobs, increasing JBS’s total workforce in Saudi Arabia to approximately   950 employees. This operational strengthening is fully aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 program, which promotes economic development and job creation through investment.

JBS’s presence in the Kingdom is underpinned by more than 30 years of experience exporting poultry to the region, ensuring compliance with stringent quality requirements and halal standards.

With these recent investments, JBS is building a fully integrated production ecosystem within Saudi Arabia. While the Dammam facility offers wide range of products and focuses on beef, chicken sausages and mortadella and chicken breast lines, the large-scale Jeddah complex significantly expands the product portfolio across multiple categories, especially chicken and value-added products.

“Saudi Arabia is a priority growth market for Seara, and this expansion reflects our long-term commitment to the Kingdom and the wider MENA region,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO of JBS. “By investing in local production in Jeddah, we are strengthening food security, expanding halal capacity, and supporting Vision 2030 through resilient supply chains and local talent development.”

“The expansion and the partnership we announced today with Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment (ENTAJ) are strategic steps in strengthening JBS’s global production and supply network,” said João Campos, CEO of Seara. “Saudi Arabia enables us to build a scalable halal hub that enhances supply chain resilience and supports growth across MENA, Africa, and Asia, while advancing our commitment to sustainable food security worldwide.”

With its growing presence in Saudi Arabia, JBS now ranks third in frozen chicken market share, with 93% brand awareness in the frozen category across the GCC region, including prepared foods, cuts, and whole chickens.