Smithfield Foods plans a $100 million IPO to expand infrastructure. Learn why SFD stock could benefit from global pork market growth and dividend plans.

Smithfield Foods, producer of the iconic Smithfield Ham and the largest pork producer in the world, will go public in an initial public stock offering.

Smithfield, which separated its European operations last year, confidentially filed for the U.S. IPO on Oct. 4. The IPO proceeds will be used for capital investments in infrastructure, automation and capacity expansion, Smithfield said.

The proposed listing comes amid pricing pressures in the pork industry and mounting public scrutiny over the agriculture industry's ties to China.

Smithfield Foods, the world's largest pork producer, filed for an initial public offering in the US. Hong Kong-based WH Group, which purchased Smithfield for $4.7 billion in 2013, will sell some of its shares in the IPO,