February 24, 2014

Tulip invests US$62 million in upgrading facilities to boost exports

Tulip, part of Denmark-based co-op Danish Crown, invested £37 million (US$62m) in upgrading its facilities to increase exports to China and Hong Kong by 3,000 tonnes over the next year.

Tulip has spent £22 million (US$36.6 million) on upgrading its Ashton and Spalding facilities. A further £15 million (US$25 million) will be invested at its Westerleigh site this summer.

"We already export over 41,000 tonnes of pig meat globally, however, we see potential for enormous future growth in the Chinese market. As the UK's leading pork processor we are extremely well placed to make the most of upcoming opportunities," Tulip chief executive officer Chris Thomas said.

The company continues to invest in their UK processing operation to meet the demands of their ambitious growth plans for its export business. They believe this will allow additional facilities to gain approval from China during 2014, Thomas added.

The investment is on the back of a 2012 deal between the UK's pork sector and China to boost export volumes. The deal was worth approximately £50 million (US$83 million).