Pilgrim's to Invest $1.3 Billion USD in Mexico; Seeks to Replace 35% of Chicken Imports

Mexico’s food security receives a financial boost of $1.3 billion USD from the global firm Pilgrim’s. The investment plan, formalized this Thursday at Palacio Nacional, projects an operational expansion between 2026 and 2030 with a core objective: to produce 35% of the chicken currently imported within national territory, thus integrating with the strategic goals of the “Mexico Plan.” During the announcement,

linked this capital injection to the country’s legal stability, underscoring that the firm’s growth reflects positive results in the domestic market and a framework of confidence for the private sector. “There is certainty for investment, complete certainty. In Mexico, we want private investment. This commitment that [Pilgrim’s] is making is because they have performed well and because they know that investing in Mexico is secure and allows them to continue progressing,” stated the president. However, Sheinbaum clarified that the infrastructure deployment must strictly align with regional water usage and environmental protection regulations, seeking a balance between industry and local small-scale producers.

Territorial Deployment: From North to South-Southeast

Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, Secretary of Economy, confirmed that the capital will begin to be deployed immediately, triggering the creation of 4,000 direct jobs and 16,000 indirect jobs. The federal administration will provide technical oversight for the project due to its relevance in replacing foreign purchases. “The strategic importance is that one of the objectives of the Mexico Plan is to increase production in Mexico, especially concerning food. The investment they are making means that Mexico will stop importing 35% of the total chicken imports,” highlighted Ebrard.

According to the investment plan exclusively accessed by Líder Empresarial, the capital will be distributed across three hubs: $950 million USD for Veracruz, Campeche, and Yucatán; $200 million USD for Durango and Coahuila; and $150 million USD for Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Hidalgo.

A Long-Term Commitment to Mexican Households

For his part, Fabio Sandri, Global CEO of Pilgrim’s, emphasized that the company—part of the JBS group—has doubled its production volume in Mexico over the last decade, solidifying the country as a key hub for its global protein operations. “This growth has a clear purpose: to nourish families. Because for us, growth is not just about producing more, but doing so with responsibility, quality, and a long-term vision. Today, Madam President, we are here to reaffirm our commitment to Mexico,” Sandri stated.

With this roadmap, which expects to generate an additional 373,000 tons of product, the poultry agro-industry positions itself as a pillar in the Food Sustainability Plan, transforming import dependence into production assets and regional employment.

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first appeared in Líder Empresarial.