JAMAICA Broilers Group has entered the canned goods market as part of a broader effort to diversify its product offerings and tap into new market segments.

The company’s recent launch of Vienna sausages under the Best Dressed Chicken brand marks its entry into the shelf-stable food market, signalling its intent to deepen its presence in the further processed goods segment.

The product has already exceeded expectations, Group President and CEO Christopher Levy said, with plans already in the works to double output by 2028.

“We recently launched our Vienna sausages that’s made with all-Jamaican chicken. It’s doing really well and it’s available in retail now… the response that we’re seeing and the feedback we’re getting is quite impressive,” Levy told shareholders during the company’s annual general meeting on Wednesday.

Discussions are now underway to increase production capacity to meet growing demand. While the company has not disclosed the specific investment needed for the expansion, the rapid uptake of the product has confirmed its potential as a strong driver of future growth, Levy added.

“At the directors’ meeting we were talking today about an expansion of that production line over the next six months or so. I know we’re producing more, and we’re really trying to increase distribution of the product, particularly in supermarkets islandwide… it’s exciting to see the take-up of the product, quite frankly,” he said.

Jamaica Broilers (JB) has traditionally focused on fresh and processed poultry but its move into the canned goods space aligns with changing consumer preferences — particularly for convenient, ready-to-eat meals that appeal to both domestic and export markets.

Beyond canned sausages, the company has also seen success with its further processed products including nuggets, tenders, and marinated items. These offerings have gained traction locally and internationally, contributing to a two-million-kilo annual export volume of processed poultry products.

Jamaica Broilers is also responding to growing demand within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector wherein partnerships with major chains like KFC and Popeyes have significantly boosted sales.

“I do feel it’s an important growth step for Best Dressed Chicken Jamaica, opening up to other markets, reaching other customers, and building the brand,” Levy said.

The company’s recent entry into the Trinidad and Tobago market has already resulted in an eight per cent rise in export sales, further bolstering its regional and international presence.

Operationally, Jamaica Broilers has already taken steps to improve efficiency in line with rising demand. The company recently completed an expansion of its Spring Village, St Catherine, processing plant, adding 14 new loading bays to improve logistics and facilitate faster deliveries. JB is also preparing to install a gas-fired engine at the plant — a move aimed at enhancing operational reliability and reducing environmental impact.

“The investment in our loading infrastructure allows us to serve our customers more efficiently, especially as we approach the high-demand holiday season,” Levy explained.

Plans for an expansion in local production come amid a slight decline in the Jamaica segment results for the first quarter ending July 2024, with $1.6 billion reported — down by $154 million or nine per cent compared to last year. Total revenue for the Jamaica segment declined by two per cent, largely due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

Meanwhile, US operations remained stable, with a segment result of $1.2 billion that lines up with last year’s performance, and total revenue increasing by four per cent over the corresponding period.

“I think this is where we’re going to see most of our growth over the next few years,” Levy said, referring to the US market where the company operates on a just-in-time inventory model, focusing on fresh chicken distribution to supermarkets like Lowe’s Foods while continuing to expand its The Best Dressed Chicken brand.