Minerva Foods joins COBEA, expands animal welfare initiatives

BRAZIL – Minerva Foods, one of Brazil’s leading food companies, has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to ethical animal practices by joining the Brazilian Animal Welfare Collaboration (COBEA). 

This newly formed coalition comprises seven major players in the animal protein industry, all working together to elevate animal welfare standards and promote sustainability across the sector.

Through this collaboration, COBEA members aim to share knowledge, identify common industry challenges, and develop joint solutions that foster responsible and sustainable progress. 

By pooling resources and expertise, the coalition hopes to enhance the welfare practices employed within Brazil’s animal farming operations.

Minerva Foods has been increasingly focused on improving animal welfare throughout its supply chain. 

In recent months, the company has implemented a series of specialized training sessions to ensure that employees and key stakeholders, such as drivers and cattle handlers, adhere to best practices in animal welfare. 

These sessions, held in June and August at facilities in Mirassol d’Oeste and Paranatinga, Mato Grosso, trained a total of 162 individuals, including 50 Minerva employees and 112 outsourced workers.

In addition to these efforts, Minerva Foods has expanded its welfare initiatives to nine partner farms, enhancing the welfare standards among cowboys and farm managers. 

This move underscores the company’s broader strategy to improve ethical practices not just within its operations but throughout its entire supply chain.

This announcement comes on the heels of a major acquisition involving Minerva Foods and Marfrig Global Foods, valued at approximately US$1.3 billion. 

The deal, which has recently received regulatory approval, allows Minerva to acquire key assets from Marfrig across South America. 

The acquisition originally involved 11 plants and a distribution center in Brazil, alongside other facilities in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, though the scope has been scaled back following regulatory assessments.

Founded in 1924, Minerva Foods has grown into a key player in Brazil’s food industry, specializing in fresh beef, leather, live cattle exports, and processed meat products. 

Through its membership in COBEA, the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing animal welfare and sustainability within the global meat production industry.

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