European Investment Bank Backs French Dairy Cooperative Sodiaal’s €70 Mln Investment

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €70 million loan to Sodiaal, France’s largest dairy cooperative. The loan, guaranteed by the InvestEU programme, will go to research and development, the EIB said.

“The French and European agri-food industry is facing strong international competition – an issue that can be addressed by accelerating research and innovation,” EIB vice-president Ambroise Fayolle said.

Sodiaal represents around 14,500 member farmers, and owns the Yoplait, Candia and Entremont brands.

“The agricultural industry and the dairy...

Moldovan Poultry Producer Axedum to Invest €9 Mln in Expansion

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Moldovan bank Maib have approved €9 million in financing for the poultry producer Axedum, both banks announced.

The funds “will finance the construction of a modern feed mill and enable Axedum to expand into a new business line of egg production,” the EBRD said.

Axedum is seeking to export its products into the European Union. Moldova holds EU accession candidate status...

Pilgrim's Invests in New Food Production Facility 

Pilgrim’s is investing $400 million in a new multi-phase prepared foods facility in LaFayette, Georgia, which is expected to create more than 630 new jobs once it is completed. 

The company currently operates seven food production facilities, along with supporting infrastructure such as feed mills and hatcheries.

The new facility will produce a variety of fully cooked chicken products, further expanding Pilgrim’s prepared foods business.

Construction is set to begin this fall, with hiring anticipated to start in 2027.

“This significant investment will...

JBS Invests More Than US $7 Million in Traceability and Support for Small Producers in Pará

JBS has invested more than US$ 7 million in cattle traceability and support for small producers in Pará, as part of a pioneering state program that aims to trace the entire herd of cattle and buffaloes in the region by the end of 2026. The results of JBS's initiatives were presented during the "Expedition to the Sustainable Meat and Leather Market of Pará," an event promoted by the Nature Conservancy (TNC) Brazil.

The initiative is part of a broader collation involving...

European Investment Bank, CaixaBank Set €180 Mln in Agricultural Loans in Spain

The European Investment Bank (EIB), the long-term lending institution of the European Union, and the Spanish bank CaixaBank have announced a new line of funding for small businesses and mid-caps in the agricultural sector of €180 million.

The funding will go to projects for the modernisation of the sector and rural development. The EIB believes the “operation will help to boost the competitiveness of small businesses and mid-caps" in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors...

Ukrainian Poultry Avesterra Group Opens New Processing Plant  

Avesterra Group has invested around €60 million in the construction of a new processing plant in the Volyn region of Ukraine, with a capacity of 13,500 broilers/hour.   

The 30,000-square-meter plant is equipped with modern equipment that meets European standards, and includes 50 technological and auxiliary buildings, as well as treatment facilities with membrane filtration. The plant will process poultry products for three of the company’s brand, it said. Epikur, a hormone-free chicken brand, the more affordable chicken brand Chebaturochka and Hala-certified Delika.

Avesterra hopes to create hundreds of jobs in the new plant and increase its output capacity to address growing demand and access to EU markets, company said. 

Cargill to Invest $90 Million in Fort Morgan Beef Plant in Colorado

Cargill will invest nearly $90 million in automation and advanced technologies at its Fort Morgan beef processing facility in Colorado. The investments comes as part of its Factory of the Future initiative.

This effort aims to improve operational efficiency, increase yield, and enhance safety and inclusivity for employees. Since 2021, Cargill has already invested nearly $24 million in technology upgrades at the Fort Morgan site.

A key innovation being introduced is CarVe, Cargill’s proprietary, patent-pending computer vision...

Dave's Hot Chicken Entering Next Phase of Growth & Innovation with Roark

From a parking lot in 2017, to a global sensation which expects to end the year with more than 400 restaurants across the globe; Dave's Hot Chicken has chosen an investment from Roark, entering its next phase of growth and innovation.

Dave's Hot Chicken has had years of incredible unit and sales growth and leading guest satisfaction metrics. The company remains committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests, team members and its franchise partners around the globe...

USDA and Mexico Invest in Joint Effort to Eradicate New World Screwworm

On a recent call, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, discussed ongoing efforts to contain the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) south of the US-Mexico border. The USDA shared an update on the partnership via its website.

As part of this effort, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. The goal is to produce an additional...

Perdue Farms Continues Support for North Carolina Center for Poultry Education Mission

Second-generation Perdue Farms poultry farmer Steven Brake is passionate about educating the next generation on where their food comes from and agriculture’s role in feeding the world. So much, that he created the North Carolina Center for Poultry Education (NCCPE) on his farm in 2019 in Pinetops, North Carolina.

To help Brake continue his mission to educate thousands of students and anyone else interested in understanding the processes involved in food production, Perdue Farms has invested $15,000 in the nonprofit Center for Poultry Education...

Kroger Reiterates Its Commitment to Lower Prices and Initiates New $7.5B Share Buyback Program

The Kroger Co. today terminated its merger agreement with Albertsons after the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon granted the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction to block the proposed merger. After reviewing options, the company determined it is no longer in its best interests to pursue the merger.

"Kroger is moving forward from a position of strength. Our go-to-market strategy provides exceptional value and unique omnichannel experiences to our customers which powers...

Mar-Jac Poultry to Establish $25 Million Transload Facility in Perry County, Mississippi

Mar-Jac Poultry, a leading poultry producer in the Southeast, is announcing the construction of a new transload facility in Perry County, Mississippi. This $25 million investment will create 21 new jobs with competitive salaries, further solidifying the company's commitment to supporting local communities.

Strategically located at the Perry County Industrial Park in New Augusta, the facility will leverage the county's existing rail infrastructure to transport essential feed ingredients such as grain, corn, and soybean meal. This efficient transportation...

Meatable Welcomes Strategic Investment From Betagro, a Leading Meat Industry Company

Meatable, the pioneering cultivated meat technology company dedicated to creating sustainable, real meat without harming animals, is excited to announce a strategic investment from Betagro Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of one of Asia’s most prominent food companies based in Thailand. This partnership is a landmark achievement as Betagro becomes the first meat company in Asia to invest in Meatable, highlighting its commitment to innovative, sustainable food solutions. It reinforces Meatable’s mission to reshape the future of protein production as global...