SÃO PAULO — Global food company BRF S.A. disclosed on Sept. 25 that Marfrig Global Foods S.A. now holds a 40.05% stake in the company, which converts to 673,879,961 common shares.

In a market announcement on its website, BRF said that Marfrig does not plan to change the current shareholding control composition or the company’s administrative structure.

BRF also noted that no contracts or agreements have been executed by Marfrig when it comes to regulating the exercise of voting rights or the purchase and sale of BRF’s securities.

Last week, Marfrig provided a notice that showed it owned 35.77% of BRF.

The two companies showed signs in 2019 of a possible merger. During May 2021, Marfrig purchased a 24.23% stake in in BRF.

In December 2018, Marfrig acquired majority shares of Argentina-based Quick Food S.A., which BRF owned, for $60 million. Marfrig also agreed to acquire real estate and equipment from a BRF unit located in Várzea Grande in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso for 100 million Brazilian reais.

Marfrig also acquired Kansas City, Mo.-based National Beef Packing Co. LLC in 2018.