Vion completes sale of UK red meat and poultry businesses to 2 Sisters Food

Dutch food company Vion has completed the sale of its red meat and poultry activities to the UK-based 2 Sisters Food.

The sale included 11 processing facilities in Coupar Angus, Cambuslang and Portlethen in Scotland; Llangefni, Sandycroft,and Merthyr in Wales; Basildon, Witham, Eye, Victoria and Bodmin in England.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The transaction is expected to protect a key supply chain for British poultry and meat, providing support to farmers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Commenting on the deal Vion UK chairman Peter Barr said: "Following the formal completion of the sale, we would like to wish the 2 Sisters management team every success with their newly expanded business."

On 4 March, Vion entered into an agreement with Boparan Holdings, the holding company for 2 Sisters Food, to sell its red meat and poultry activities, as part of its efforts to secure a viable future for these businesses.

2 Sisters Food stated that the acquisition would help the company shorten the supply chain for consumers and cater to the growing demand for British-sourced food.

The latest divestment comes after Vion’s announced on 19 November that it was selling its UK food operations, in order to focus on its core food activities in the Netherlands and Germany, and develop its global ingredients business.

As part of this plan, Vion completed the management buy-out of its UK pork business in January this year, securing about 4,000 jobs.

The red meat business operates from five facilities in the UK supplying beef and lamb to major retailers throughout the country, as well as to foodservice customers and export markets.

The poultry business owns hatcheries, feed mills, and packing and processing facilities, and offers fresh chicken products.

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Image: The divestment of red meat and poultry activities is a part of Vion’s plan to focus on food operations in the Netherlands and Germany, and developing its global ingredients business. Photo: courtesy of Koos Schwaneberg.