SAO PAULO, March 27 (Reuters) - Brazilian meat-packer

JBS SA expects margins of its Seara processed foods

maker in Brazil to reach double digits in the first weeks of

2024, citing operational improvements introduced by managers to

shore up the unit, executives said on Wednesday.

JBS, which released financial results on Tuesday that were

below analysts expectations, said Seara and the U.S. beef

division presented the biggest challenges for the company last

year, when it lost about 1 billion reais ($200.57 million)

compared with a 15.457 billion real annual profit ($3.10

billion) in 2022.

JBS results were also negatively affected by global poultry

oversupplies and high grain prices, especially in the first half

of 2023.

In the United States, a lack of cattle supplies made the

company's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and

amortization (EBITDA) negative in the fourth quarter of 2023, an

earnings statement showed.

JBS managers, who addressed analysts in a conference call to

discuss results, said the U.S. beef segment will continue to

face headwinds this year.

Regarding the Seara division, CEO Gilberto Tomazoni said it

is poised to report double-digit margins in the first quarter as

the company identified issues and is executing a plan to make

industrial processes more efficient.

($1 = 4.9859 reais)