25 May 2016 --- Cargill's subsidiary in the Philippines has struck a deal with Asia's biggest food service company Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) to build and operate a poultry processing plant in the Philippines.
The striking of the joint venture deal comes as US agribusiness Cargill looks to make investments in the Philippines to tap into growth in the country.
JFC said: “The partnership will create an estimated 1,000 new full time jobs and develop new opportunities in the farming community in the Batangas and nearby provinces as local poultry farmers are contracted to grow chicken to supply the requirements of the processing plant."
Called Cargill Joy Meat Production, the joint venture will be 70 percent owned by Cargill, which will oversee the management and operation of the plant in Santo Tomas, Batangas, in the Philippines. The rest will be owned by JFC.
JFC chief executive Ernesto Tanmantiong said: "We partnered with Cargill to deliver high quality chicken products through Cargill's technology and quality standards. The facility will provide JFC with dressed and marinated chicken to augment the chicken supply requirements of the growing needs of JFC brands."
Cargill Joy Poultry Meats Production managing director Paul Fullbright said: “Cargill is making additional investments in the Philippines to participate in the robust growth of its consumer sector. Cargill can contribute in further enhancing the quality of products of JFC brands for its customers at very competitive costs and raise the assurance of its chicken supply.”
“As in many other parts of the world where we do business, Cargill can also contribute in improving the system of hygiene, food safety, and quality by operating a world class facility and by setting high level of partnership with the poultry growers and farmers. We look forward to a very productive poultry processing venture in the Philippines and with JFC."
JFC operates over 2,500 restaurants in the Philippines and the JFC group is one of the largest buyers of chicken in the Philippines.