SAO PAULO, May 14 (Reuters) - Brazil's JBS SA

, the world's largest meat-packer, on Tuesday reported

a net profit of 1.64 billion reais ($319.74 million) for the

first quarter, which beat analysts' expectations by a wide

margin, according to an earnings statement.

After a strong quarter for its U.S. pork business and its

beef and processed foods divisions in Brazil, JBS said earnings

before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, a measure o

operating income known as EBITDA, was 6.4 billion reais in the

period.

Analysts had predicted JBS's net profit at 869.1 million

reais, and EBITDA at 5.2 billion reais.