Brazilian meat products producer Marfrig has struck a deal to transfer 16 slaughterhouses to rival Minerva for a total of US$1.54 billion. Minerva plans to acquire the beef giant's processing plants in South America to develop its wholesale business, while Marfrig will focus on value-added products.

Both Minerva and Marfrig are major players in the South American meat industry and have maintained a dominant position for several years. The transaction includes assets located in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, which will increase Minerva's cattle slaughtering capacity by 44%. Minerva has recently been outperforming its more diversified competitors such as Marfrig and JBS SA, which have faced challenges such as elevated grain prices and a supply glut of chicken and pork.

Following this new acquisition, Minerva will own a total of 40 beef slaughtering and boning plants. In addition, the company will operate five lamb slaughter plants, including four in Australia and a newly added plant in Chile. It is also the company's largest acquisition since 2017, when it bought JBS' plants also in South America for $300 million.

Akvizici však kritizují analytici společnosti Morgan Stanley, kteří považují kupní cenu za příliš vysokou. Akcie společnosti zaznamenaly v den oznámení akvizice výrazný pokles až o 16 %, což je největší propad od března 2020, kdy poptávku narušila pandemie covidu.