Vion Food Group to divest major German beef operations to Tönnies Group

GERMANY – Vion Food Group has entered into a commercial agreement with Tönnies Group for the sale of its main beef operations in Germany. 

This move follows a strategic review announced in January 2024, which outlined a shift in Vion’s focus toward the Benelux region.

The deal, pending approval from competition authorities and other regulatory conditions, is anticipated to conclude in 2025.

The transaction will see Tönnies Group acquire several key assets from Vion, including facilities in Buchloe, Crailsheim (which also handles pork), and Waldkraiburg. 

Additionally, the acquisition encompasses the Hilden deboning plant, BestHides’ hide processing sites in Memmingen and Eching-Weixerau, and the majority of Vion’s German central support functions. 

These assets are well-regarded for their quality and strong market demand both within Germany and abroad. 

The acquisition by Tönnies Group aims to ensure the continued success and expansion of these operations while preserving established supply chains and customer relationships.

Vion Food Group will retain its stake in the Furth im Wald beef facility. 

Despite this divestment, Vion will continue to support its remaining German operations, maintaining all current commercial relationships.

Earlier in the year, Vion had already begun restructuring its German operations, including the sale of its Landshut and Vilshofen facilities to Erzeugergemeinschaft Südbayern (EG Südbayern), a regional meat producer. 

The divested Bavarian sites, which process 33,000 pigs and handle 650 tons of meat weekly, are significant for their role in serving southern European export markets. 

Although the financial details of the EG Südbayern deal were not disclosed, it is noted that the organization previously held a 49% share in these operations.