The Springdale, Ark.-based company has signed purchase agreements with Macedo Agroindustrial, a strong retail chicken brand, and new poultry company Avicola Itaiopolis (Avita), both located in the state of Santa Catarina.

Tyson also has signed an agreement to have 70 percent ownership of Frangobras, a poultry company in the state of Parana. All three companies are vertically integrated and offer the potential for international and domestic sales growth.

"Our investment in these companies is a key part of our international strategy, especially since Brazil is currently the world's leading chicken exporter and third largest chicken producer behind the U.S. and China," Rick Greubel, group vice president and international president for Tyson, said in a statement.

Brazilians consume approximately 81 pounds of chicken per person per year, compared to 99 pounds per person per year in the United States, according to Greubel. "In addition, our Brazilian operations will give us greater access to markets that are currently buying little to no poultry from the U.S.," he said.

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