Horrifying news for Brandenburg: the largest slaughterhouse is in danger of closing!

Horrifying news for Brandenburg: the largest slaughterhouse is in danger of closing!

The Perleberg meat center, the largest slaughterhouse in Brandenburg, is apparently on the verge of closure. Prignitz district administrator Christian Müller confirmed this and announced that the closure of the company, which employs 150 workers, had been suggested in an official letter. However, a specific date for the closure has not yet been set, which increases uncertainty for employees and the region. Müller emphasizes that the closure will not only have a negative impact on the employees, but also on the entire Prignitz district and on the company's business customers. The economic and structural challenges facing the meat center have already been discussed in exchanges between local and state politicians and the company.

Brandenburg's Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) and Henrik Wendorff, President of the State Farmers' Association, have been in talks with the company since the beginning of the year. The minister clarified that despite the efforts, no tangible initiatives have been taken by the company. Wendorff described the possible closure as a setback for regional meat production, something that can hardly be imagined in the industry.

Background to the closure

The reasons for the threatened closure are varied. High energy, logistics and labor costs contributed significantly to the company's financial misery. In addition, global customs and delivery restrictions as well as the effects of animal diseases such as African swine fever and foot and mouth disease have further exacerbated the situation. At the end of 2024, 190 employees were laid off, which resulted in the loss of many jobs in the region.

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Brandenburg also has a major impact on the economy. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has announced that export restrictions for dairy and meat products could be imminent. In particular, the necessary certificates for freedom from foot-and-mouth disease can no longer be issued, which will severely restrict exports to countries outside the EU. In recent years, South Korea was a significant market for German pork before imports there were halted due to African swine fever.

Consequences for the region

The possible consequences of the closure are far-reaching. An increase in transport routes and rising costs for animal owners could make the return to normality much more difficult. In addition, the relocation of value creation from Brandenburg is causing additional worry lines for agriculture and the economy. Müller emphasizes that local and political representatives must look together for solutions to secure jobs in the region.

At a time when food production is increasingly complex and dependent on external factors, the situation at the Perleberg meat center is a worrying sign. As the industry struggles to find appropriate solutions, the challenges require more than ever a good hand from politicians to protect jobs and the regional economy.

For further information on the economic conditions and current developments in the food industry, you can read the reports from Food practice and The time see.