March 31, 2010
Scotland's meat plants report losses
Scotland's leading farmer owned co-operative, ANM Group, posted a trading loss as financial pressures hit the meat processing sector.
The co-op declared a loss of GBP1.34 million (US$2.16 million) for its meat cutting and processing factories for the year ending 2009.
Three major Scottish meat manufacturers namely Scotch Premier Meat, Yorkshire Premier, and Charcuterie Continental reported losses in the range of GBP200,000-882,000 (US$302,000-1,332,000)
Chief executive Alan Craig, who assumed the post last May, promised significant restructuring of the processing plants to improve competitiveness and boost returns.
Part of the plan will see a new management training programme that will engage senior staff and supervisors in skills upgrading in Denmark.
Craig said the losses in the processing sector were symptoms of difficult trading conditions that saw cattle prices soar while the end price was difficult to move upward.
