JBs

JBS S.A., commonly known simply as JBS, is a Brazilian multinational meat processing and food company headquartered in São Paulo. It was founded in 1953 by José Batista Sobrinho in Anápolis, Goiás, as a small slaughterhouse and grew into a global food group. The company takes its name from the initials of its founder, J B S. It is one of the world's largest meat processors by revenue, producing beef, pork, poultry and other processed foods, and maintains a large network of slaughterhouses, processing plants and distribution facilities.

JBS operates in North and South America, Europe, and Asia, with operations across the meat supply chain from farming and feedlots to packaging and wholesale distribution. It owns major brands such as Pilgrim’s Pride in the United States and Seara in Brazil, and it has pursued significant acquisitions to expand international reach.

The company is publicly traded on the B3 exchange in Brazil (ticker JBSS3) and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker JBS).

JBS has faced legal and regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries. In the 2017–2018 period, executives and the company were implicated in investigations related to bribery and corruption in Brazil and the United States, resulting in settlements and reforms in governance and compliance. The company has also faced cybersecurity incidents, including a major disruption caused by a ransomware attack in 2021 that affected some operations.

As of the 2020s, JBS remains a leading player in global meat processing, with a diverse portfolio and a broad international footprint.