Cargill has opened a new $48.8 million poultry production plant in China, according to reports.
The new facility in Chuzhou, Anhui, includes breeding, raising, feed production, hatching and primary and further processing capabilities.
“Additionally, the complex features two production lines for fully cooked poultry that will be able to produce 32,000 tons chicken and other protein products every year, according to Cargill. The company expects to increase poultry production by 30%, which will enable Cargill to better meet demand for domestic customers while exporting cooked poultry to global customers,” a Food Business News report said. Cargill said any product from the facility can be tracked back at any point in its production process within two hours.
“Chinese customers and consumers are critical to our protein business, as China has the largest protein market in the world,” said Jackson Chan, managing director of Cargill Animal Protein in China. “With this expansion, Cargill will be able to offer more unique and differentiated culinary options, menu solutions and innovative new products to our customers and consumers.”
The new facility is expected to contribute to the local economy by providing 600 new jobs.
“Cargill is a friend of China and we are committed to developing the Chinese economy and the economies of local communities,” said Marcel Smits, chairman of Cargill Asia Pacific and head of corporate strategy. “This new investment will help Chuzhou and local farmers prosper as they work with us to deliver protein to tables of the world.”
An opening ceremony was held June 18.
In April, Cargill invested $112 million to expand the capacity of its corn processing facility in Songyuan, Jilin province, China. Since it started investment in mainland China in the 1980s, the company has invested around US$7.5 billion.
“Cargill has made significant investments in Songyuan, which is welcomed by us,” Wang Zilian, mayor of Songyuan Municipal Government, said in April. “I believe the new investment and projects will help boost the prosperity of local farmers and also benefit the growth of local corn processing industry.”
