GERMANY – Vion Food Group, a prominent meat processor based in Europe, has divested its interests in two German facilities, transferring ownership to Erzeugergemeinschaft Südbayern (EG Südbayern), a regional meat producer.
This move marks a significant step in Vion’s strategy to concentrate on markets in the Benelux region, as the Netherlands-based company shifts its focus away from Germany.
Earlier in the year, Vion closed one site in Germany and reached an agreement to sell three additional locations.
This latest transaction, announced on August 19, involves the sale of two Bavarian facilities located in Vilshofen and Landshut.
Although the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is known that EG Südbayern previously held a 49% stake in these operations.
The two sites, which are equipped with a combined capacity to process 33,000 pigs and debone 650 tons of meat weekly, primarily serve export markets in southern Europe.
Vion’s CEO, Ronald Lotgerink, emphasized that the decision was influenced by the company’s long standing partnership with EG Südbayern.
He expressed confidence that the sites will continue to thrive under the new ownership and contribute positively to regional food production.
Vion indicated that its remaining German operations are still under review and will proceed as usual until further strategic decisions are made.
The company had previously announced the closure of a beef processing plant in Bad Bramstedt in May 2023, affecting 250 employees, and a convenience foods plant in Großostheim in October 2023, which impacted 220 jobs.
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