JBS has just taken another step in its global expansion strategy. The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Danantara Investment Management, the investment arm of Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, in a transaction that could involve up to US$5 billion.
The agreement provides for an initial investment of US$2.5 billion in exchange for 25% of JBS's operations in Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the possibility of raising another US$2.5 billion in financing, bringing the total resources to up to US$5 billion.
The move reinforces Australia as a central pillar of JBS's geographic diversification. The country is considered strategic by the company, both for its export position and its role in balancing global results.
The idea is to use this base as a platform to accelerate expansion into Southeast Asian markets, a region that has around 745 million inhabitants, according to ASEAN data, and which combines population scale, urbanization, and rising incomes.
Gilberto Tomazoni, global CEO of JBS, highlighted that the partnership with Danantara strengthens the company's investment capacity and opens up opportunities to expand its presence in Indonesia and other markets in the region. "We are building a stronger platform to capture the long-term growth in global protein consumption," Tomazoni stated in a press release.
The backdrop is the structural growth in global demand for protein. Projections from the OECD and FAO indicate that by 2034 global meat consumption should increase by 21% for chicken, 16% for lamb, 13% for beef, and 5% for pork. Furthermore, Indonesia is a key market for halal foods, a segment valued at US$1.43 trillion in 2023 and expected to reach US$1.94 trillion by 2028, according to the consultancy DinarStandard.
The announcement comes at a time of solid results for the company. In 2025, JBS recorded record revenue of US$86.2 billion, with net income of US$2 billion and an EBITDA margin of 7.9%. In the first quarter of 2026, profit was US$221 million, with revenue of US$21.6 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period of the previous year. Return on equity (ROE) was 22.1%, reinforcing financial discipline and operational efficiency.
JBS, the world's largest animal protein company, has been pursuing a multi-protein and multi-geographic strategy, with brands such as Seara, Friboi, and Pilgrim's Pride. In addition to international expansion, the company has invested in biomethane projects and the reduction of fossil fuels, aligning itself with growing sustainability demands and the ESG agenda.
The transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals in Australia. Danantara is being advised by PwC, BCG, A&O Shearman and Barrenjoey. JBS is being advised by EY, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek NV (Netherlands) and MinterEllison (Australia).
