Vion Food Group has revealed that around 165 jobs will be affected in the Netherlands as it continues to streamline its business.

The Boxtel-headquartered company said in a statement there will be around 40 “compulsory redundancies”. It said “changing market conditions require adjustments to the size of the organisation”.

The business is making moves to quit Germany to focus on the Benelux markets.

Earlier this month, Vion sold its stake in two sites in Germany to fellow meat business Erzeugergemeinschaft Südbayern.

In January, the company closed one site in Germany and struck a deal to sell three others in the country. Five months later, Vion said it would exit the market entirely.

In yesterday's (28 August) statement, Vion said: “As a result of changing market conditions, it is necessary to make continuous adjustments. Vion has decided to focus more on strengthening chains in the Benelux.

“Vion benefits in this region from market leadership in pork and beef, as well as animal welfare and sustainability, its global sales network and advanced data-driven valorisation capabilities.

“The successful transformation programme and divestments in Germany lay a solid foundation for Vion's future growth and resilience, but will require adjustment of the indirect organisation.”

The meat and poultry group added these moves “are unavoidable to leave a more efficient and thus future-proof overhead organisation”.

Vion said it entered talks with the workers’ unions but could not reach a “social plan”. However, it said it did reach a “social plan” with a works council and the redundancy “process is currently going through with the utmost care”.

It added: “Vion is fully aware that this is a difficult time for employees but is making every effort to limit the impact as much as possible.”

Just Food has contacted Vion and local trade unions for further details on the redundancies.