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Cargill is investing more than $130 million over the next two years to expand its poultry operations across Thailand and the Philippines, as global demand for cooked poultry products continues to grow.

The investment will focus on increasing production capacity and efficiency across the company’s poultry network, while strengthening supply chain resilience and food safety for foodservice and retail customers.

In Thailand, Cargill plans to install a new automated cooked chicken production line at its poultry processing plant in Saraburi. The line is expected to be completed in 2028 and will form part of a wider programme of technology upgrades over the next two years.

The company said the upgrades will include advanced machinery and the integration of artificial intelligence into data processing to support faster and more accurate decision-making. The technologies are also expected to enhance Cargill’s food quality and safety management systems.

Thailand serves as Cargill’s strategic poultry export hub, supplying cooked poultry products to markets including Japan, Europe, Asia and North America.

Following the investment, Cargill expects its total cooked poultry volume to reach approximately 160,000 metric tonnes, generating THB25 billion (approximately $780 million) in annual export value for Thailand. The expansion is also expected to create more than 300 local jobs.

As part of the Thai investment programme, Cargill is constructing a new 30,000-metric-tonne grain silo to increase raw material storage capacity and provide greater flexibility in grain procurement throughout the year.

Construction began following a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this year, with completion expected in early 2027. Cargill said the facility will also create additional income opportunities for local farmers outside the traditional harvest season.

In the Philippines, Cargill is investing in a new feed mill with an annual production capacity of 190,000 metric tonnes. The facility is expected to be completed by late 2027 and will create more than 100 jobs.

The company said the mill will strengthen the poultry supply chain by improving feed availability, efficiency and reliability across its Philippine operations.

Cargill is also expanding its network of hatcheries, breeder and broiler farms in the country. The expansion is intended to strengthen supply and cost efficiencies while supporting demand from domestic foodservice customers and consumers of its Tip-Top retail brand.

Watcharapon Prasopkiatpoka, vice president and managing director, Poultry APAC at Cargill, said: “Demand for high-quality protein continues to grow across global markets, and customers are looking for reliable innovation partners who can help them scale with confidence."

Prasopkiatpoka continued: “This investment strengthens our ability to deliver poultry products with the quality and consistency our customers need. By investing in infrastructure, technology and people, we are serving the growing demand from customers for high-quality protein, while creating long-term economic value for farmers, businesses, suppliers and local communities.”