BRASILIA, Aug 12 (Reuters) - The world's largest meatpacker JBS SA said on Thursday that it has proposed acquiring the remaining common shares in its U.S.-based subsidiary Pilgrim's Pride Corporation in order to delist the company.

Brazil-based JBS said in a securities filing that its board had approved an offer letter to be sent to Pilgrim's Pride to acquire the remaining shares in circulation for $26.50 per share.

JBS already owns via subsidiaries a 80.21% stake in Pilgrim's Pride, which processes chicken and pork sold in North America and Europe. The Brazilian firm had agreed to buy a majority stake in Pilgrim's Pride in 2009.

The proposed acquisition of the remaining shares in circulation must be approved by a special committee of Pilgrim's Pride board members as well as a majority of voting shares in the company. (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo and Jake Spring; editing by Grant McCool)