Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS has secured approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange, overcoming vocal opposition from environmental advocates and congressional lawmakers who cite the company\u2019s troubled track record on climate, corporate governance, and market competition.<\/p>\n
The SEC issued a declaration of effectiveness on Tuesday, clearing the way for JBS<\/a> \u2014 the world\u2019s largest meat producer \u2014 to proceed with a shareholder vote scheduled for May 23. The company plans to list through a new parent firm, JBS NV, based in the Netherlands, and also intends to seek a dual listing on Brazil\u2019s S\u00e3o Paulo Stock Exchange.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe this transaction will increase our visibility in global markets, attract new investors, and further strengthen our position as a global food industry leader,\u201d said Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS Global CEO.<\/p>\n But not everyone is celebrating the move. Environmental groups such as Global Witness and Mighty Earth have sharply criticized the SEC for allowing JBS to tap into the U.S. financial market, arguing the company\u2019s listing could further entrench what they consider to be a problematic business model.<\/p>\n Mighty Earth, which submitted five formal challenges to the SEC opposing the listing, said the agency\u2019s approval \u201cshows it is no longer the independent SEC that has upheld honest practices on American markets for nearly a century.\u201d CEO Glenn Hurowitz added, \u201cGiven the company\u2019s long rap sheet of illegal and corrupt conduct, it\u2019s hard to see how the SEC could have confidence that JBS won\u2019t deceive US investors.\u201d<\/p>\n JBS has faced mounting scrutiny for its environmental footprint, including alleged ties to illegal deforestation in the Amazon and inconsistent climate claims. The company is currently being sued in the U.S. amid allegations of misleading consumers with its net-zero emissions pledge \u2014 claims it has since withdrawn, calling them \u201caspirational.\u201d<\/p>\n Political concerns have also followed the company\u2019s expansion. A bipartisan group<\/a> of lawmakers, including former Florida Senator and current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, previously urged the SEC to deny JBS\u2019 listing, warning it could \u201cfurther entrench its monopoly power\u201d in the meat industry.<\/p>\n Despite the criticism, JBS has argued that a U.S. listing is crucial to unlocking capital and driving growth. The company hopes the move could nearly double its market valuation to around $30 billion, according to estimates from Bloomberg.<\/a> CFO Guilherme Cavalcanti said the listing \u201cwill mark a new chapter in JBS\u2019s history \u2014 one with the potential to unlock shareholder value and broaden our investor base.\u201d<\/p>\n Two major JBS shareholders, including one that opposed a similar IPO effort in 2016, have indicated they will abstain from the May vote, removing a significant hurdle for the company\u2019s long-standing listing ambitions. JBS expects shares to begin trading in early June.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSponsored Content on AG<\/strong>Daily\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"SEC](\"https:\/\/www.agdaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/bg-sec-stock-exchange.jpg\")