Packington Pork is specialised in the production of British free range and outdoor bred pigs

Pig

Image: Cranswick has acquired Packington Pork from Mercer family. Photo: courtesy of Thomas B. from Pixabay.

UK-based food producer Cranswick has acquired Packington Pork from the Mercer family for an undisclosed sum.

Packington Pork, which includes pig farming and rearing operations, has expertise in the production of British free range and outdoor bred pigs.

It has sites across Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire

Cranswick said that the acquisition of Packington Pork will help increase its self-sufficiency in UK pigs processed to more than 25%, securing direct control over a significant of its supply chain for premium pigs, helping to develop a sustainable and traceable farm to fork operation.

Packington Free Range business is not part of the deal. It will be held by the Mercer family as a standalone business operating under the Packington brand.

Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of the premium pig farming business, Packington Pork Limited.

“This acquisition strengthens our existing farming operations and reinforces our commitment to supporting and growing the British pig farming industry. It also aligns to our strategy of enhanced transparency and provenance of our food from farm to fork.

“We have worked closely with the business for over 14 years. We welcome the existing farm management team and look forward to investing in and developing the business over the coming years.”

Cranswick is involved in the supplying of premium, fresh and added value food products. With more than 11,000 people, Cranswick operates 16 production facilities, of which four are primary processing facilities and 12 are value-processing facilities.

The UK-based firm produces a range of fresh food, including fresh pork, poultry, convenience and gourmet products.

It supplies the products to major grocery multiples, as well as the growing premium and discounter retail channels. In addition, Cranswick operates in the food-to-go sector and export business.

In July this year, Cranswick announced the acquisition of Katsouris Brothers, a processor and multi-channel supplier of Continental and Mediterranean food products.