Seara expands electric fleet with US$2.67M investment

BRAZIL – Brazilian meat processor JBS has announced a US$2.67 million investment in expanding its fleet of electric trucks under the Seara division. 

The move aligns with the company’s efforts to adopt environmentally friendly technologies, as electric vehicles emit up to 63% fewer greenhouse gases than traditional diesel models.

This investment highlights JBS’s ongoing focus on sustainable transportation within its operations.

The announcement comes during a period of heightened activity for JBS. 

In November, the company reported a 14% year-over-year increase in export revenue for Seara during the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, totaling US$1.2 billion. 

This growth occurred despite disruptions caused by a Newcastle disease outbreak in July.

The outbreak affected a flock of 14,400 broiler chickens in Rio Grande do Sul, which were intended for Seara’s production. 

Trade restrictions were imposed following the incident, but JBS restructured its supply chain, redirecting production to unaffected regions that met export requirements. 

The company also implemented containment measures to prevent the disease from spreading beyond the initial site. 

The World Organisation for Animal Health has since reinstated Brazil’s disease-free status.

During the third quarter, Seara’s overall net revenue reached US$2.2 billion, a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. 

Domestic sales accounted for about 45% of this revenue, with the growth attributed mainly to higher product prices. However, revenue saw a marginal decline of 1.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

JBS, as a whole, reported net revenue of US$19.9 billion for the quarter, up 6.4% from the same period last year. 

The company attributed its financial performance to its ability to adapt production strategies in response to external challenges, enabling it to sustain strong performance in international markets.

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