Offers on the table to purchase Marfrig’s Keystone Foods division

Marfrig Global Foods announced on July 6 that it has received binding offers to purchase its Keystone Foods division. The notice to investors on the company website did not reveal potential bidders. However, Reuters reported interested bidders include Cargill Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Cofco Corporation, China Investment Corporation and George’s Inc. The Brazilian company purchased 51 percent of National Beef Packing Company, LLC earlier this year at which time it also announced an intention to sell Keystone. Keystone Foods is a global food services company that supplies restaurants and fast-food service chains with fresh and frozen animal protein products including poultry, beef, fish and pork. The company operates 19 production units in the United States, China, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea and Australia. — WLJ