JBS’s Seara increases solar energy use across its farms in Brazil
BRAZIL – Seara, a subsidiary of Brazilian meat giant JBS, has reached a major milestone, with 70% of its integrated producers now using solar energy on their farms.
The company reports that solar power adoption among its producers has surged by 1,149% over the past five years.
In 2023 alone, solar energy production on Seara farms totaled 205.18 million kWh, which is enough to power a city of 90,000 people for an entire year.
The initiative has been rolled out across eight Brazilian states, with São Paulo and Santa Catarina leading the transition, where 77% and 73% of integrated producers, respectively, have installed photovoltaic panels.
Seara says the shift to solar energy is part of its broader commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of meat production.
The company continues to support farmers in adopting cleaner energy solutions and improving agricultural practices.
Meanwhile, JBS, Seara’s parent company, is facing legal challenges in the United States over allegations of beef price-fixing.
JBS and its US subsidiaries have agreed to pay US$83.5 million to settle claims that it manipulated the prices of fed cattle between 2015 and 2020.
A lawsuit filed in 2019 accused JBS of suppressing cattle prices and influencing live cattle futures and options trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
The company denies any wrongdoing but says settling the lawsuit is in its best interest.
The agreement, which still requires court approval, will cover claims from ranchers who sold cattle to JBS and those involved in futures trading during the period in question.
As part of the settlement, JBS has agreed to cooperate with plaintiffs pursuing legal action against other major meat companies, including Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Beef.
The lawsuit is part of a broader investigation into price-fixing in the meat industry, with McDonald’s filing a separate case last year against the same companies, alleging they restricted beef supplies to drive up prices.
While JBS deals with legal disputes in the US, Seara continues to push forward with renewable energy initiatives in Brazil.
The company says increasing solar energy use is just one step in its long-term goal of making meat production more sustainable.
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