SAO PAULO, May 13 (Reuters) - JBS, the

world's largest meatpacker, on Tuesday reported a net profit of

2.92 billion reais ($521 million) in the first quarter, in line

with analysts' estimates of a 2.92 billion real net profit and a

nearly 78% annual increase.

In a financial statement, the company said earnings before

interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, a measure of

operating income known as EBITDA, came in at 8.92 billion reais,

above the 8.77 billion reais forecast by analysts.