September 6, 2006

Conditions in Australia causes early shutdown in major beef plant

Shortages in both cattle and labour has caused Australia's second-largest beef processor Queensland-based Teys Brothers to shut down early for the year.

The plant was closed about three months earlier than it normally would have. Normally, operations are halted for a month in December due to the rainy season, the company said. The company is trying to relocate 160 affected workers to other facilities.

The 60-year-old company employs some 2,300 staff and produces about 270,000 tonnes of beef a year. It owns six meat plants, most of which are located in along the east coast of Australia. The company has a turnover of more than A$1 billion (US$0.77 billion), with almost 85 percent of it in export sales.