JBS SA is in an advanced stage of negotiations with an unnamed investor interested in committing $US2.5 billion to JBS's United States division.
The company reported a steep decline in earnings in its third fiscal quarter.
As a result, JBS needs to sell up to 26.3 per cent of its US unit to shore up its financial ratios.
Until this happens, JBS SA's plan to buy Brazilian rival Bertin cannot be completed.
JBS reported on Friday that its net earnings for the third quarter, ending September 30, dropped 78pc, about $US87.4 million, compared to the year-earlier period.
At the same time revenue rose 8pc to $US4.8 billion compared to one year earlier.
Most of the income was from added sales from the beef unit of Smithfield Foods.