Cargill is building its first animal protein processing site in China to tap into growing meat consumption as incomes in the country grow.

The plant, in China’s eastern Anhui province, will process broilers and is scheduled to be ready by next summer.

The US agribusiness giant is spending an initial US$250m on the facility, which is designed for 64.8m broilers a year.

“Rising incomes and urbanisation in China are driving more diversified and convenient diets. Higher income has also increased the consumption for meat proteins,” Cargill told just-food. “Our initial focus will be on the quick service restaurant channel as well as food manufacturers. We will consider providing products and services to other channels as the opportunities arise.”