“With this one acquisition, we’ve created a more efficient supply chain coast-to-coast."

The closing of the transaction is subject to the approval of the sale by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US.

Smithfield Foods president and CEO Kenneth Sullivan said: “With this one acquisition, we’ve created a more efficient supply chain coast-to-coast and expanded our operations, product portfolio, as well as our customer and consumer base.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of WH Group, Smithfield will be including three farms in Arizona, California and Wyoming, in its hog production division.

With more than three decades of experience in the food industry, Smithfield’s packaged meats operations vice-president Kenneth Baptist will be leading the Farmer John operations, which includes both the Farmer John and Saag’s Specialty Meats brands.