Pilgrim’s Pride receives approval for poultry complex expansion in Kentucky

Chicken product manufacturer Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation has received approval for the expansion of its poultry processing facility in Mayfield, Kentucky, US.

The company plans to invest $24m for the expansion of its poultry processing complex.

The project will begin on 12 October and include relocation or removal of existing processing equipment, and installation of new equipment.

This will enable the facility to shift from a fresh foodservice and debone operation to a debone portioning by next July, enabling it to process larger birds.

Upon completion of the investment, the facility will be able to increase its live weight production by one million pounds a week.

The investment will also create 155 additional jobs.

Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Bill Lovette said: "This investment is a key part of our recently announced cashflow reinvestment plan to provide key customers with opportunities to accelerate sales and grow their businesses with a trusted partner."

The facility expansion is part of the company’s $190m capital investment plan to boost growth, reinvest cashflow back and improve efficiencies.

Established in 1990, the Mayfield complex was the first poultry processing facility in Kentucky.