Brazilian meat processor JBS is exploring opportunities for possible acquisitions in North and South America and Australia.
The company will consider acquisitions in the chicken, pork and branded, packaged food industries this year, Reuters reported, citing JBS CEO Wesley Batista.
This forms a part of the company's strategy to focus on organic growth and not acquisitions.
"I cannot say that, second half of this year, we are not going to be preparing ourselves, to (maybe) look something for late this year or next year.
"I'm more focused on some internal things, but this does not mean we are not going to be looking," Batista added.
Last November, JBS reached an agreement to acquire ham and bacon producer Primo Group for A$1.45bn ($1.25bn) to increase its access to fast-growing Asian markets.
The company received Australian Foreign Investment Review Board approval for Primo acquisition in March this year.
With this approval, US subsidiary of the Brazilian meat processing company will be able to acquire Primo through its wholly owned unit JBS Smallgoods.
