SAO PAULO, Brazil – BRF SA, one of the world’s largest food companies, plans to close two poultry production plants due to a shortage of corn, a main feed ingredient, Reuters reported.
The company will idle its Jatai poultry production line by June 30, while the line in Lajeado in Rio Grande do Sul will be idled from July 18 to July 31. Workers will be furloughed.
The devaluation of the real against the dollar lifted exports of Brazilian corn to all-time highs. The rise in corn exports has left fewer supplies for local meat and poultry producers.