Marfrig, ADM form joint venture to offer plant-based food products

Marfrig and ADM have announced an agreement to create PlantPlus Foods, a joint venture for the sale of plant-based food products across South American and North American markets. Marfrig, a beef producer, and ADM, a global nutrition company, already have a history working together to develop and produce sustainable, plant-based foods in South America. Now, PlantPlus Foods will expand on that successful relationship.

“Marfrig’s production and distribution capacity and its experience and know-how in working with high-quality meat, combined with ADM’s technical and development excellence and its industry-leading plant-based ingredient and natural flavors portfolio, will provide our new joint venture unparalleled scale and singular expertise for offering plant-based products of the highest quality,” said Marcos Molina, founder and chairman, Marfrig. “PlantPlus Foods will be ready from day one to meet customer needs in this fast-growing market.”

Marfrig will initially own 70% of PlantPlus Foods, with ADM owning 30%. Marfrig will be responsible for production and distribution, utilizing its facilities in South America, mainly in Várzea Grande, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, and its facilities in the United States. ADM will supply technical expertise, application development, and an array of plant-based ingredients, flavors, and systems from its specialty protein complex in Brazil’s Campo Grande and its network of U.S.-based ingredient and flavor facilities, including its new pea protein plant in Enderlin, N.D. The joint venture will primarily focus on North and South America, though it will have the ability to serve customers in other global markets.

Marfrig and ADM plan to launch the new company and start operations as soon as required regulatory approvals have been received.