December 23, 2011

French pork companies Cofiporc, Porc Armor to join forces

Breton pork companies Cofiporc (from Chateaulin, Finistère) and Porc Armor (from Loudéac, Côtes-d'Armor) plan to join forces in a deal that would create the fourth-biggest player in the France's pork sector.

The agreement is said to be effective as from January 2012, and would bring together 700 producers, of which 610 are now associated with Porc Armor. The new group will be named Porc Armor Evolution and process close to 1.8 million pigs annually.

Porc Armor Evolution will be the country's fourth largest player on the market, after Cooperl (5.5 million pigs), Aveltis (3.5 million) and Prestor-Cecab (2 million). As a unique characteristic, it will be able to offer a wide range of products, e.g. for the market in Britanny.

The two partners said they are looking to the merger to create economies of scale through combined purchasing and rationalisation in the marketing of pork products.