Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia’s Halal Products Development Company (HPDC), wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and BRF, one of the world’s largest food companies, announced the start of construction of a processed food factory in Jeddah with investments worth $160 million.

Carried through a joint venture between both companies, BRF Arabia Holding Company, the new cutting-edge facility is expected to produce 40,000 tons of processed foods per year, BRF announced in a press release yesterday.

Initially, production will be mainly destined for the Saudi market, with the possibility of exporting to other countries in the region. Scheduled to start operations in mid-2026, the plant was designed to allow for future expansion, doubling the initial capacity.

The new facility is set to create more than 500 direct jobs in the region and will initially use raw materials from Brazil. The investment schedule is planned for 2025 and 2026, with disbursements of approximately $63 million in 2025 and $98 million in 2026.

Fahad Alnuhait, CEO of HPDC, stated that the new facility represents a major step forward in the company’s strategy to build integrated halal manufacturing ecosystems. “In partnership with BRF, this investment reflects our continued efforts to advance Saudi Arabia’s position in the global halal economy. The plant will not only meet growing domestic demand for further processed products but also reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on imported goods by offering high-quality, locally manufactured alternatives,” he said.

He added that the project directly supports HPDC’s broader mandate to develop the halal ecosystem and position the Kingdom as the global hub for halal products.

On the other side, Marcos Molina, Controlling Shareholder and Chairman of the Boards of Directors of Marfrig and BRF, commented: “The investment represents another consistent advance in our global presence strategy and strengthens our operations in a highly strategic market for the Company, as well as consolidates our partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its food safety agenda.”

Moreover, the new facility will contribute directly to Saudi Arabia's efforts to achieve the economic diversification objectives set out in Vision 2030 and support the government's goal of positioning the country as a global center for halal products.