The meat processing industry in Latin America is integral to the region's economy, supplying high-quality beef, poultry, and pork to domestic and international markets. Major corporations combine traditional practices with modern technology, ensuring food safety and enhancing production efficiency. As consumer preferences shift towards sustainable and alternative protein sources, companies are focusing on innovation, including plant-based options. With robust demand in the underdeveloped global markets and continued investments from both local and foreign firms, this industry is on an upward trajectory, making significant strides to meet the evolving needs of the global food landscape.


The list of investors includes both corporate giants and venture capital firms, primarily located in Brazil and Mexico. With an array of deal counts, from Bossa Invest's impressive 56 to major corporate players such as JBS and Marfrig having made targeted acquisitions, the firms vary in size and strategy. Founded from as early as 1950 to as recently as 2020, each investor reflects a unique angle on capital allocation within the meat processing sector. With investments across the spectrum, these players are well-positioned for future growth within this transforming industry.


Top 12 Meat Processing Investors in Latin America


1. bossa invest

  • Website: bossainvest.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2011
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 56
  • LinkedIn: bossainvest

Bossa Invest is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2011. The firm specializes in investing in innovative startups, particularly in the technology sector, and provides capital, strategic guidance, and access to a network of co-investors. Bossa Invest also offers educational resources for investors and startups, aiming to empower entrepreneurs and foster growth in the startup ecosystem. Among their notable transactions, Bossa Invest participated in the seed round for The Better Meat Co., which focuses on developing hybrid products that combine animal and plant-based proteins, highlighting their engagement in the meat processing industry. This investment reflects their interest in innovative food technologies that intersect with traditional meat processing. Additionally, their involvement in other food-related startups, such as Banza, which focuses on food service and brand development, further illustrates their commitment to the food sector, including meat alternatives.


2. Jbs

  • Website: jbs.com.br
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1953
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 1
  • LinkedIn: jbs

JBS S.A. is a prominent corporate investor based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 1953. As a leading food processing company, JBS specializes in the production of beef, pork, poultry, fish, and plant-based products. The company serves a diverse range of customers, including food retailers and restaurants, by providing high-quality meat and food products. JBS operates globally and is committed to sustainability and responsible practices in its operations. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Pilgrims Pride for $800 million in 2009, which significantly expanded JBS's footprint in the poultry sector. In 2015, JBS acquired Primo Smallgoods, further enhancing its meat processing capabilities. The acquisition of Plumrose USA in 2017 for $230 million allowed JBS to strengthen its portfolio of prepared foods in the U.S. Additionally, JBS's acquisition of Frigorífico Marba in 2019 and Empire Packing Co. in 2020 demonstrates its ongoing strategy to grow within the meat processing industry.


3. Marfrig Global Foods


Marfrig Global Foods is a corporate investor based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2000. The company is a leading meat producer specializing in beef and processed meat products, operating in multiple countries to provide high-quality meat to food service and retail customers globally. Marfrig has made significant investments in the meat processing sector, including the acquisition of a 51% stake in National Beef Packing Company for $969 million, which enhanced its position as the world's second-largest beef processor. Additionally, Marfrig acquired U.S.-based Iowa Premium from Sysco in a deal valued at $150 million, further strengthening its foothold in the U.S. beef market. These transactions highlight Marfrig's commitment to expanding its production capacity and international presence in the meat processing industry.


4. Enfini Investments


Enfini Investments is a corporate investment firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2020. The firm specializes in the food tech sector, focusing on fostering technology initiatives that promote sustainable food production. Enfini Investments collaborates closely with its portfolio companies to enhance their business plans and operational strategies. Notably, they have participated in significant funding rounds for companies that are innovating in the meat processing space, such as Aleph Farms, which raised $105 million in a Series B funding round with participation from leading global food and meat companies. They also invested in UPSIDE Foods, which raised $161 million in a Series B round, and Mission Barns, a cellular agriculture company that raised $24 million in a Series A round. These transactions highlight Enfini's commitment to supporting advancements in sustainable meat production and alternative proteins.


5. Brf

  • Website: brf-global.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 1934
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 4
  • LinkedIn: brf

BRF is a corporate investor based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 1934. It is a leading food manufacturing company that specializes in the production and distribution of meat and poultry products. With a focus on quality and sustainability, BRF serves a diverse customer base, including consumers and businesses in the food industry. The company has been actively expanding its operations through strategic acquisitions, such as the full acquisition of Alimentos Calchaquí Productos, which enhances its cold-cut offerings in Argentina, and Universal Meats (UK) Limited, which supports its globalization strategy. In addition, BRF has invested in the meat sector through participation in funding rounds, such as the Series B funding for Aleph Farms, indicating its commitment to innovation and growth in the meat processing industry.


6. Sigma


Sigma Alimentos, S.A. de C.V., founded in 1980 and based in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, is a leading food processing and distribution company specializing in refrigerated foods, including lunch meats, cheeses, and yogurts. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Sigma serves a diverse customer base through its extensive distribution network across multiple countries. Notably, Sigma has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its position in the meat processing sector, including the acquisition of Bar-S Foods in 2010, which is a significant player in the refrigerated and frozen foods market. In addition, Sigma has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Mexican Cheese Producers in 2007 and Los Altos Food Products in 2023, both of which contribute to its competitive edge in the U.S. Hispanic market. These transactions highlight Sigma's commitment to growth and innovation in the food processing industry, particularly in areas related to meat products.


7. SP Ventures

  • Website: spventures.com.br
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2007
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: sp-ventures

SP Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2007. They specialize in investments in technology-driven solutions for the agriculture and food sectors, particularly in Latin America. SP Ventures supports early-stage startups by providing capital and consulting services to help them innovate and grow. Among their notable transactions, they invested in JetBov, a platform for beef cattle management, which received R$3 million to expand its user base and enhance its value proposition in retail meat sales. This investment highlights SP Ventures' commitment to addressing challenges in the meat supply chain and their active role in the meat processing industry. Other investments include Imeve, Pink Farms, and Asolum, which, while not directly related to meat processing, showcase their broader focus on agtech solutions.


8. Grupo Lala


Grupo Lala, S.A.B. de C.V. is a prominent food manufacturer based in Rancho Playa, Veracruz, Mexico, specializing in dairy and meat products. Founded in 1950, the company has grown to employ over 10,000 people and has a significant presence in Mexico and other regions. Grupo Lala offers a diverse range of products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and processed meats, catering to both consumers and businesses. Notably, Grupo Lala has made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position, including the acquisition of Vigor Alimentos, a Brazilian dairy company, for approximately $1.83 billion. This deal included acquiring shares from JBS S.A., a leading meat processing company, which underscores Lala's involvement in the meat sector. Other acquisitions, such as those of Farmland Dairies and Laguna Dairy's U.S. branded business, further demonstrate Lala's commitment to expanding its operations in the food industry, including meat processing.


9. MAS Equity Partners


MAS Equity Partners is a private equity firm founded in 2009, based in Cajicá, Bogota, Colombia. The firm specializes in investment management and strategic guidance for medium-sized companies in the Andean region, focusing on providing minority equity investments and support to visionary entrepreneurs. Among their notable transactions, they have invested in Andrés Carne de Res, a prominent establishment known for its meat offerings, which highlights their engagement in the meat processing context. Other investments include Kokoriko, ESSI, Infinite Herbs, and ROCSA COLOMBIA, showcasing their diverse portfolio while still maintaining a connection to the food industry.


10. Minerva Foods

  • Website: minervafoods.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Brazil
  • Founded year: 1992
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: minerva-sa

Minerva Foods is a corporate investor based in Brazil, founded in 1992, and has grown to become the largest beef exporter in South America. The company specializes in producing and retailing high-quality beef and lamb products, catering to both retail and food service customers. In 2016, Minerva Foods acquired Frisa Frigorifico, a Brazilian beef products company, for R$205 million ($59 million), aiming to strengthen its market position in Brazil. More recently, in September 2023, Minerva Foods made a significant move by acquiring 16 facilities from Marfrig across Brazil, Argentina, and Chile for R$7.5 billion (€1.4 billion). This acquisition is expected to enhance their cattle slaughtering capacity by 44% and increase their total net revenue to over R$50 billion (€9.4 billion). These strategic transactions highlight Minerva Foods' commitment to expanding its operations within the meat processing industry, emphasizing sustainability and quality in their offerings.


11. Vinci Compass Brasil

  • Website: vincipartners.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Rio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
  • Founded year: 2009
  • Headcount: 501-1000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: vincipartners

Vinci Compass Brasil, founded in 2009 and based in Rio de Janeiro, is a private equity investment management firm that specializes in a diverse range of financial services, including Private Equity, Infrastructure, Real Estate, and Corporate Advisory. The firm serves institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals, helping them navigate investment opportunities and optimize their portfolios for growth. Notably, Vinci Compass Brasil has been involved in several significant transactions in the food sector, including an investment in Burger King in 2011 and the acquisition of Domino's Pizza Brasil in 2018 for approximately US$61 million. This acquisition aimed to enhance Domino's media presence in São Paulo and included plans to invest up to BRL250 million to open around 500 new stores over the next five years. While their direct involvement in meat processing is not explicitly stated, their investments in major food chains suggest a potential relevance to the meat processing industry.


12. Emergent Cold LatAm


Emergent Cold LatAm is a corporate investor based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, founded in 2017. The company specializes in logistics, particularly in providing cold chain solutions that include temperature-controlled storage, transportation, and food processing services. Their operations are designed to ensure the safe handling of perishable goods throughout the supply chain, leveraging a network of strategically located facilities across Latin America. In recent transactions, Emergent Cold LatAm has acquired Qualianz, a leading storage and logistics platform in Mexico, to enhance its temperature-controlled logistics network. Additionally, they acquired Bajo Cero Frigoríficos, a cold storage company in Mexico, marking their entry into the Mexican market and expanding their capacity to handle perishable goods, including meat. These strategic acquisitions highlight their commitment to strengthening their logistics capabilities in the food industry, particularly for perishable products.



Meat Processing Insights: Key Investors in Latin America


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
bossa investSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil11-50201156
JbsSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil10001+19531
Marfrig Global FoodsSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil10001+20000
Enfini InvestmentsSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-1020200
BrfSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil10001+19344
SigmaMonterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico10001+19800
SP VenturesSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1-1020073
Grupo LalaRancho Playa, Veracruz, Mexico10001+19500
MAS Equity PartnersCajicá, Bogota, Colombia11-5020090
Minerva FoodsBrazil10001+19923
Vinci Compass BrasilRio De Janeiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil501-100020093
Emergent Cold LatAmSao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil1001-500020170


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