Brazilian meat giant JBS S.A. is moving forward with plans to invest in two export-oriented food processing plants in Vietnam, following an announcement made in March.
The investment was confirmed during a meeting in Hanoi between Vietnam Customs deputy director Au Anh Tuan and JBS investment director Fabio Maia de Oliveira. The first facility will be built in the northern port city of Hai Phong, followed by a second in Ho Chi Minh City.
The initiative aligns with remarks by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during his March visit to Vietnam, when he disclosed that a Brazilian company would invest US\$100 million in beef processing in the country. Reuters later identified the investor as JBS, one of the world’s largest meat producers.
During the meeting, the JBS executive sought details on customs procedures for importing meat, offal, and by-products from Brazil to Vietnam for processing, with plans to re-export to China and other markets. Tuan assured that Vietnam Customs would provide maximum procedural support, while emphasising the need for compliance with veterinary inspections and sector-specific regulations.
He also encouraged JBS to take advantage of Vietnam’s 17 free trade agreements to benefit from preferential tariffs.
Founded in Brazil, JBS operates more than 250 facilities worldwide, employs over 280,000 people, and serves customers in more than 180 countries. The investment is expected to bolster Vietnam’s role as a manufacturing and distribution hub for JBS in Asia, while creating substantial job opportunities for the local workforce.
