The future of Scotland’s only major pig abattoir Quality Pork Processors has been secured after it was acquired by food manufacturer Browns Food Group.
QPP’s Brechin facility operated through a joint venture between its subsidiary Quality Pork Limited, farming co-ops Scotlean and Scottish Pig Producers, and pork giant Pilgrim’s UK – which was the sole customer of the site.
The long-term future of the business had been in question for some time. The Grocer reported last September that Pilgrim’s was facing “unsustainable” losses at the Brechin facility and had launched a review of the business due to the impact of a voluntary halt in pork exports to China following a Covid outbreak.
It followed criticism of Pilgrim’s earlier last summer after it reduced the price paid to farmers supplying the plant, a move NFU Scotland described as “uncompetitive” compared with alternative market routes. This resulted in the volume of pigs going to Brechin falling dramatically and operations at the plant being reduced to three days a week.
Pilgrim’s declined to comment on the deal, the value of which was undisclosed. However, Browns said it was “delighted” to complete the acquisition, which would “ensure a promising future for Scottish pork while supporting the existing established markets”.
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The completion of the sale would be followed “by a short period of time where we work to ensure the seamless transition of QPP into the Browns Food Group”, it added.
“It provides the opportunity for Browns to process high-welfare local pork for our own manufacturing sites as well as for retail, foodservice and wholesale channels,” said Browns CEO Wayne Godfrey. “In addition, we will reduce food miles with improved logistics, efficiencies, and closer management of welfare.”
The deal was welcomed by levy board Quality Meat Scotland, which said the purchase by Browns would “provide the platform to build a stronger future for the Scottish pig industry”.
It also ensured Browns was now the largest pork processor in Scotland, QMS added.
“Despite the challenges the pig industry has felt in recent times, we are confident that the strong experience Browns holds will ensure a smooth transition of the Brechin site, which in the longer term will help alleviate some of the ongoing pressures faced by the sector,” said QMS chair Kate Rowell.
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