Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson announced at its shareholders meeting that it was forming a joint venture with Jiangsu Jinghai Poultry Industry Group Co. Ltd., to raise, process and sell chickens in east China under the Tyson brand name. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Tyson will own 70 percent of the venture.

The companies expect Jiangsu Tyson Foods in Haiman City, near Shanghai, will begin operations next year. The plant is expected to initially produce 400,000 birds a week, with plans to increase to 1 million birds a week.

"Demand for high quality, fresh chicken in China is growing faster than the existing domestic supply," said Richard Bond, Tyson's president and chief executive. "We intend to help meet this need by becoming the first producer to deliver brand name, high quality fresh chicken to consumers in the eastern China market."

Tyson already has a joint venture in China that produces processed chicken, and part ownership in a pork processing plant in China.