Pilgrim’s Mexico Announces USD 1.3 Billion Investment to Expand Production Capacity

Pilgrim’s Mexico announced a USD 1.3 billion investment in the country between 2025 and 2030, aimed at expanding production capacity, modernizing facilities, and strengthening domestic poultry protein production. The investment plan includes projects across northern, central, and southern Mexico.

According to the company, the initiative will increase annual production by more than 370,000 tons, representing a 38% expansion of its operations in Mexico. This additional capacity is expected to replace approximately 35% of the chicken imports currently required by the country.

Pilgrim’s Mexico Investment Plan 2025–2030: Expansion and Modernization

Fabio Sandri, Global CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride, stated that the investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to Mexico:

“Pilgrim’s Mexico is approaching 38 years of uninterrupted operations in the country, and over the past decade we have doubled our production, consolidating Mexico as a key growth engine for the company. With this USD 1.3 billion investment through 2030, we reaffirm our commitment to producing food responsibly, with quality and a long-term vision for Mexican families.”

The investment will also lead to the creation of more than 4,000 direct jobs, primarily in rural communities, while strengthening a supply network that currently supports approximately 50,000 indirect jobs linked to agricultural, logistics, and supplier activities.

From a regional perspective, USD 200 million will be allocated to northern Mexico—mainly in Durango and Coahuila—where processing plants will be modernized and projects incorporating solar energy and biogas generation will be implemented. In central Mexico, USD 150 million will be invested in Querétaro and Hidalgo, focusing on technological upgrades and production process improvements.

The largest share of the capital, USD 950 million, will be directed to southern Mexico, primarily in Veracruz. This includes doubling the capacity of feed and hatchery plants, the construction of a new processing facility, and the development of a new integrated production complex in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Additional expansions are also planned in Campeche and Yucatán.

Employment Impact and Import Substitution

Jesús Muñoz, President of Pilgrim’s Mexico, highlighted the investment’s direct impact on production, employment, and regional development:

“This USD 1.3 billion investment over the next five years will allow us to increase our production capacity by more than 370,000 tons annually, representing a 38% growth in our operations in Mexico and replacing approximately 35% of the chicken imports currently made by the country.”

Regarding labor and regional impact, Muñoz added:

“These projects will generate more than 4,000 direct jobs, primarily in rural communities, while strengthening a network of over 50,000 indirect jobs. The investment will be distributed across northern, central, and southern Mexico, with a focus on technological modernization, new production facilities, and capacity expansion.”

According to Mexico’s Ministry of Economy, the investment is considered strategic due to its impact on food security, as it increases domestic production and reduces reliance on poultry imports, while also contributing to productive development across multiple regions of the country.