Dunbia acquires Cornish abattoir to expand UK operations

Major meat processor Dunbia has purchased HR Jasper & Son, a family-run lamb abattoir in Cornwall, for an undisclosed amount.

The abattoir processes about 10,000 lambs a week and has about 90 employees.

Its purchase will help Dunbia to expand its offering in the South West and follows on from the purchase of the Jasper family’s beef abattoir in Cornwall in 2014.

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Keith Jasper, managing director of HR Jasper & Son, said: “We have been doing business with Dunbia for many years. It’s a family business like ours and has previous experience of acquiring and developing businesses in the West Country.”

Dunbia, the UK division of Dawn Meats, currently operates 13 sites in the UK, with a further 10 sites in Ireland as part of the wider group.

Dawn Meats took full control of Dunbia in 2020 and the combined businesses process about 1 million cattle and 3.5 million sheep annually across the UK and Ireland.

Niall Browne, Dunbia chief executive, said: “The reputation and demand for high-quality West Country lamb is growing both within Britain and across Europe.

“We look forward to continuing to work with farmers in Cornwall and across the South West to promote this excellent product to both new and existing customers.”