JBS USA has announced that it will close down its plant-based meat operation, Planterra Foods, just two years after launching.

Commenting on the latest, head of corporate communications at JBS USA, Nikki Richardson, told The Plant Base Mag: “JBS USA has made the decision to discontinue operations in its US-based Planterra business unit. We continue to believe in the potential of plant-based options for consumers and remain committed to the alternative protein market.”

Planterra is a plant-based company owned by JBS Foods, located in Colorado, and sold at retail under the Ozo brand, known for its alternative meats such as nuggets, burgers and meatballs. The plant-based alternatives first hit the shelves in March 2020.

Richardson added: “JBS will focus its efforts on its plant-based operations in Brazil and Europe. We are actively working with the Planterra workforce to provide employment opportunities at other JBS locations.”

The news comes one year after Planterra announced it would open a new R&D innovation centre at its Colorado headquarters. It stated that the new centre would allow for new opportunities to test ingredients and product innovations, as well as growing office space and providing job openings for the local area.

Denver Business Journal reported that in closing down the 189,000 square foot factory Denver factory, there will be an expected job loss of more than 100.

Planterra was not JBS’ only plant-based business, in 2021, it also acquired plant-based meat producer, Vivera for €341 million. The acquisition included three manufacturing units and an R&D centre in The Netherlands.

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