In a recent press release, JBS S.A. announced their intention to construct a $22 million R&D Center devoted to cultivated protein to be located in Florianopolis, Santa Caterina State.

In the announcement, Jerson Nascimento Jr. Global Director of Supply and Innovation stated, “The JBS Biotech Innovation Center reinforces our commitment to the cultivated protein sector, consolidates our position as one of the main players in this very promising market and reinforces our commitment to offering innovative and high-quality products to our consumers.” 

This statement flies in the face of reality with declining demand for all alternatives to animal protein and obvious problems with scaling up laboratory and pilot-level production to commercial output.  To date close to $3 billion has been invested in cell-cultured meat projects over a decade with only a few kilos of product to show for it. The leading company in the U.S. is apparently unable to operate large bioreactors necessary to produce cultured chicken in saleable quantities.

 In October 2022, JBS disposed of Planterra Foods in Boulder, CO., producing plant-based meat substitutes including nuggets, burgers and meatballs.