Pilgrim’s Pride plant sale complete

The sale of the closed Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing plant in Farmerville to California-based Foster Farms has been completed. Foster Farms agreed to buy the plant for $80 million. The state will contribute $50 million — half of the purchase price, plus another $10 million toward equipment upgrades. “This facility, which includes both a chicken processing plant and a cooked plant, will enable Foster Farms to continue to grow and meet the expanding needs of our customers,” company CEO Ron Foster says. Foster Farms plans to reopen the plant by mid-July. About 1,300 workers lost their jobs earlier this month when the plant was idled. While initial production will be about 50% of capacity, Foster says the company envisions a quick ramp up. “The plant upgrades, when operational and used in conjunction with the experienced local work force, will allow us to build a strong sales base, leading to a return to full double shift capacity,” he says. Total employment is projected to exceed 1,100 by September.