Nestlé Purina invests BRL 2.5 billion in new Brazil pet food plant

Nestlé Purina has expanded its wet pet food manufacturing capacity in Brazil by opening a new factory in Vargeão.

The company invested BRL 2.5 billion (CHF 370 million) in the facility, marking its largest investment in Brazil to date. When fully operational, the plant will nearly double Nestlé Purina’s wet pet food production capacity in the country.

The Vargeão site is designed to meet rising domestic demand in Brazil, one of the world’s largest pet food markets with approximately 110 million pets. The facility will also support export growth. Shipments to Chile have already begun, with gradual expansion planned to other South American markets.

According to Marcelo Melchior, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Brazil, the investment supports Nestlé’s global focus on petcare and expansion of premium wet pet food offerings.

The Vargeão factory complements Nestlé Purina’s existing operation in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, strengthening its manufacturing network in Latin America.

The site incorporates next-generation production lines aimed at improving efficiency and productivity. It features an Integrated Operations Center, robotics on filling and packaging lines, and systems powered by the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence to enable real-time monitoring and end-to-end traceability.

The plant is also the first Nestlé Purina manufacturing facility in Latin America to operate using 100 percent renewable energy (thermal and electric). It uses a biomass-powered boiler and electricity generated from renewable sources.

The project is expected to create 140 permanent jobs in the region.

Latin America remains a key growth market for Nestlé Purina as the company continues to expand manufacturing capacity and invest in technology across the region.