** Shares of food and beverage process firm JBT Marel Corp JBTM.N rise 1.2% to $139.49 premarket

** Jefferies upgrades stock to "buy" from "hold" rating

** Jefferies expects 20% earnings growth through 2027, driven by food processing recovery especially poultry and Marel cost synergies

** Brokerage says acquisitions are likely to pick up after 2026 with scope to expand into further processing, prepared foods and packaging to diversify the business

** Jefferies raises PT to $180 from $150, representing 26.5% upside to stock's last close

** Co is well-positioned to benefit from population growth and a rising middle class, with steady food and beverage demand- adds brokerage

** Five of six brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, and one "sell"; their median PT is $169 - data compiled by LSEG

** Up to last day's close, stock up 8.4% YTD

(Reporting by Kanishka Ajmera in Bengaluru)

((mail to: Kanishka.Ajmera@thomsonreuters.com))