Sanderson Farms to proceed with poultry plant expansion

Sanderson Farms announced Thursday (Jul 23) it will proceed with its planned expansion of new poultry facilities in Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina.

The project's budget is expected to top US$121 million, and the facilities are projected to process 1.25 million chickens per week at full capacity.

Sanderson Farms will also require 130 contract growers for the processing plant, which will be equipped to process and sell 6.7 million pounds per week.

Construction of the plants is expected to begin later this summer with a completion date of early 2011.

Sanderson Farms originally announced plans for the Kinston expansion on April 2008, but the project was put on hold due to the rising prices of corn and soy.