Brazilian meatpacker JBS SA has sold one of its two units based in San Jose, Argentina, the company said in statement Wednesday. The unit was sold for 16.5 million dollars to a group of local cooperatives and the provincial government, which will run the operation.
Shares of Smithfield Foods Inc., the top U.S. pork producer, jumped as much as 8.3% Tuesday on speculation the company may be a takeover target for Brazil-based meat processor JBS S.A. A report in the Brazilian publication Valor Economico, citing market sources said JBS may seek discussions over an acquisition with Smithfield.