SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods Inc. announced on June 4 that it acquired the Thai and European business from meat producer BRF S.A.

The purchase features four production facilities in Thailand and one in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The four plants in Thailand produce fresh and frozen, value-added raw and fully cooked poultry products including highly specialized cuts for retail and foodservice customers throughout Asia and other markets. The processing locations in the Netherlands and the UK are supported by in-house innovation capabilities for developing further-processed chicken products for retail and foodservice customers.

“The addition of this experienced and talented team combined with these businesses strengthens our capabilities and increases our reach to new markets. I’m glad to welcome them to the Tyson Foods family,” said Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We’re now strategically aligned to better serve customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, building on our global strategy.”

Tyson also said that approximately 90 percent of global protein consumption growth would be outside the US including 60 percent of volume growth in Asia over the next five years.  

“I’m excited to welcome our newest team members to Tyson Foods,” said Donnie King, group president of international and chief administration officer for Tyson Foods. “We’re working to make the integration of these operations as seamless as possible while maintaining high levels of service to our customers. This is a great team and I know they’re ready to work together as one company.”

On May 30,  BRF S.A. and Marfrig Global Foods S.A. announced in security filings that the two companies are open to a potential merger. If the two companies are combined it would create one of the largest meat producers in the world.