Van Loon Group closes Dutch pork plant amid market challenges

NETHERLANDS – Dutch meat processor and ready-meal manufacturer Van Loon Group is set to close a pork processing plant in the Netherlands early next year, citing efficiency improvements amid a challenging pork market. 

The Roosendaal-based facility, which operates under Van Loon’s Best Star Meat division, will shut down permanently by the end of March 2024.

Starting January 1, production and logistics functions at the Roosendaal plant will be gradually transferred to other Van Loon locations. 

Sales, livestock operations, and additional support roles based at the facility are set to move to sites in Son of Best by July 1, according to a statement from the company.

Van Loon Group, headquartered in Eindhoven, indicated that the decision comes after an extensive review of the current market conditions. 

“This step is essential to streamline the supply chain and increase the efficiency of our production processes,” said the company. 

CEO Robert van Ballegooijen acknowledged the Roosendaal plant’s long-standing role in supporting Best Star Meat Pork but pointed to a contracting and highly competitive market as driving the need for change.

Van Loon, a family-owned business with 11 divisions spanning pork, beef, ready meals, and plant-based foods, has yet to disclose the number of jobs impacted by the Roosendaal closure. 

The facility, which produces pork for in-house use and for sale to industrial clients, has provided work for many employees who will now be affected by the decision.

In response to the closure, Van Loon has prepared a social support plan in collaboration with its Joint Works Council, designed to aid employees with transition support, training, and individual career consultations. 

The closure at Van Loon comes amid broader industry challenges for pork processors. 

Danish Crown, a major competitor, recently announced approximately 500 layoffs due to declining pig supplies and rising costs, following a similar reduction at its Ringsted site in April. 

Meanwhile, Netherlands-based Vion Food Group is scaling back its operations in Germany, shutting down processing facilities as it pivots its focus toward the Benelux region. 

The shift led to Vion posting a loss last year due to strategy-related impairments.

Van Loon has not yet disclosed further details on how this plant closure will affect its competitive standing, nor clarified the total staff numbers involved.

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