Malton Foods sale
Malton Foods sale
GRAMPIAN Country Foods is on the verge of buying ailing pig firm Malton Foods, creating the UKs largest pork processor in terms of capacity, say industry sources.
Parent company Uniq, formerly Unigate, has been trying to dispose of its loss-making bacon division for some time and consultant Peter Crichton says the industry will be relieved if the deal goes through.
"There will be concern among farmers and retailers that there is one less buyer in the market, but overall a dark cloud will have been lifted. The worst scenario would have been the closure of Malton."
A spokesman for Uniq, itself struggling with a slump in share value and profitability, refused to confirm the Grampian move, but said negotiations were advanced with a potential buyer. *