Grampian closes pork plant

GRAMPIAN COUNTRY Food Group is closing its Morayshire pork processing factory in Buckie to finance expansion elsewhere in Scotland.

All activity at the factory, which turns out fresh pork from Scottish pigs, will cease as part of efforts to consolidate processing capacity.

But in its biggest single investment north of the border, fresh pork processing volumes and sausage, bacon and pie production will be stepped up at the company’s Broxburn plant near Edinburgh.

It is investing £16m in the expansion which will create 200 new jobs, partially off-setting the loss of 330 in Buckie.

“In Buckie, the factory is on a site which is landlocked, so has severe physical restraints to expansion.

“We are moving the fresh pork operation to Broxburn to ensure efficiency and combat the cheap imports coming into the country from Europe.

“It is part of our effort to remain competitive, and we are working very closely with Scottish pig suppliers over the increased cost of transportation.

“We also have a chicken processing factory along the coast in Banff and we will try to find employment there for some of the 130 job losses.”

But with the news coming on the heels of job losses at vegetable supplier Kettle Produce in Fife, NFU Scotland has pointed the finger of blame at retailers.

“Supermarkets are farming‘s biggest customers and we must work with them. But we simply cannot work at any price,” said president John Kinnaird.

“Both Kettle Produce and Grampian are successful, efficient businesses that are crucial outlets for farmers.

“Yet, despite their success, they are not immune to the continued drive to push down prices.

“This trend simply cannot continue if Scotland is to maintain a viable food processing industry.”

Scotland’s pig industry led the way in efficiency, and would now have to absorb the increased cost of getting produce to market, he added.