August 11, 2020

US' Maxwell Foods to close hog operations in 2021

Maxwell Foods, a food company based in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the United States, announced it will permanently shut down its hog operations next year.

The company, which has 54,000 sows, highlighted "unsustainable" financial losses due to "continuing low prices" for its products and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for its decision.  "The Maxwell family recognises the enormity of this decision and it was with great difficulty that it was made," it said in a press statement.

Maxwell Foods has been in the hog business for about 31 years. Its hog operation will be shut down in phases and conclude in mid-2021.

Current grower contracts will be honored, said the company. Maxwell has about 150 contract farms in its system.

In late 2019, Maxwell sold 30,000 sows in North Carolina and 15,000 sows in Indiana to Clemens Food Group, of Hatfield, Pennsylvania. Before that sale, Maxwell Foods had 99,000 sows.

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