Rivalea currently produces about a quarter of Australia's pork requirements at its Corowa and Melbourne abattoirs, killing about 1.4 million pigs each year.
JBS Australia announced they will also acquire Oxdale Dairy Enterprises.
JBS Australia chief executive Brent Eastwood said JBS planned to invest significantly in the Rivalea business to expand opportunities for both fresh and value-added Australian pork products in domestic and international markets.
“Rivalea is a leader in the Australian pork sector with a strong team and track record of sustainable pork production. JBS Australia is committed to building on these strong foundations and growing the business through new opportunities for Australian-grown pork.
“Our acquisition of Rivalea will enable us to expand into the breeding, growing, fattening and finishing of pigs, an area where JBS Australia does not currently operate.
“We intend to grow the use of domestic pork in JBS Australia’s operations, particularly within our Primo business, through further value-adding and processing, while unlocking new opportunities for Australian pork in international export markets.
“JBS has a long and proud history of supporting and growing its Australian businesses – investing heavily in its local operations and domestic brands, while at the same time providing employment opportunities and supporting the regional economies in which we operate.”
The Corowa plant is licensed for export and is capable of processing 500,000 heads per year.
The Rivalea stock feed mill at Corowa is one of the largest single-site feed mills in Australia, according to QAF Ltd, with a capacity of 400,000 metric tonnes a year.
Rivalea's owners, Singapore food company QAF Ltd, announced it was exploring the sale of the business in September last year.
Rivalea was established by the Bunge Group in Australia in 1971, and the business was acquired by QAF in 2001.
The company's brands have been developed for the chilled and fresh market segments and include High Country, Murray Valley, Family Chef, St Bernard's and Riverview Farms.
The acquisition is subject to relevant regulatory approvals including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Foreign Investment Review Board.
