SAO PAULO, May 15 (Reuters) - Brazilian food companies

Marfrig and BRF are expected to announce a

merger involving a share swap this evening, a source briefed on

the matter told Reuters on condition of anonymity because the

deal has not been made public yet.

The companies are eyeing annual synergies over 800 million

real ($140.80 million) from their tie-up. The name of the new

company created by Marfrig and BRF will be MBRF, the person

said.

($1 = 5.6817 reais)