The plant will have the capacity to process 50 million lbs of pork annually.

SMITHFIELD, VA. — Smithfield Foods and Kansas City Sausage have entered into a 50:50 joint venture to build a $44.8 million sausage plant in Sampson County, N.C. The plant will have the capacity to process 50 million lbs of pork sausage annually and construction is expected to be completed by June 2016.

“We formed Kansas City Sausage in 2013 as part of our strategy to expand into the $4 billion breakfast and dinner sausage categories,” said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer. “This new facility is an essential part of that strategy and also underscores our commitment to broaden our product offerings through a focus on our customers, brands, products and geographic footprint.”