RANDERS, Denmark – Danish Crown’s Pork Producer Committee recommended the closure of a slaughter facility in Esbjerg, Denmark, by the end of August. Concurrently, the company plans to expand capacity at some of Danish Crown’s other facilities in the country.

“We have seen a slight decline in the supply of pigs for slaughter to our Danish departments, and we are reacting accordingly,” said Søren F. Eriksen, Danish Crown’s production director. “Making difficult decisions such as this is part of being financially responsible.

“We monitor developments in the competitive situation on the global market closely, and if we are to retain slaughterhouse jobs in Denmark, where production costs are far higher than in our neighboring countries, we must ensure that our capacity is tailored accordingly and that we are continually optimizing and streamlining production,” he added.

Danish Crown said the facility closure will affect 500 employees, however they will be covered by the company’s social plan and a job bank will be established. Investments at Danish Crown’s other facilities will create new jobs.

“This will create approximately 300 new jobs elsewhere in the country, but it is still too early to say how the new jobs will be distributed,” Eriksen said. “However, they will primarily be in northern Jutland.”