Cargill has announced that it will invest £35 million to expand its poultry production facility in Wolverhampton in the UK.

This investment will add a second production line at the facility, which produces approximately 19,000 tonnes of breaded and battered chicken products annually for clients in the foodservice industry.

According to Cargill, the investment will create an additional 80 jobs at the expanded site and allow the company to further expand its presence in the UK’s poultry market.

Jon Lauritzen, Cargill commercial director, said: “We have built a sustainable chicken supply chain with our trusted partners to provide our Wolverhampton site with whole chicken breast fillets to make breaded and battered products for our loyal foodservice customers.

“Our further investment of £35 million will ensure we maintain our reputation as a ‘best in class’ facility.”

Earlier this year, Cargill enhanced its position in the UK’s poultry segment as the company agreed a deal with Faccenda Foods to create the Avara Foods joint venture company.

The venture combined Cargill’s fresh chicken business in the UK with Faccenda’s fresh chicken, turkey and duck business, with both companies holding a 50% stake in the joint venture.