Vion to Close German Beef Plant by 2026 After Failed Sale and Market Pressures

A once-thriving beef hub now faces shutdown as Vion exits Germany. Workers and buyers scramble for solutions after regulators halted a key deal.

, and Administrator

2026 January 10 . 9:10 PM

1 min read

In this picture, we see glass from which we can see the trays containing the meat. We even see the... — In this picture, we see glass from which we can see the trays containing the meat. We even see the price tags. On the left side, we see the buildings and trees. There are trees and buildings in the background. At the top, we see the ceiling of the room. This might be a meat shop.

Vion to Close German Beef Plant by 2026 After Failed Sale and Market Pressures

Vion is shutting down its beef processing plant in Hilden, near Düsseldorf, by the end of February 2026. The closure will impact around 160 employees and follows a failed sale attempt to Premium Food Group (PFG). Market changes and regulatory hurdles have forced the company to reconsider its German operations.

The Hilden site once handled up to 1,000 tons of beef each week, but production has since fallen to just 350 to 400 tons. Vion blamed ongoing structural shifts in the market for the decision. In September 2024, the company had agreed to sell its German beef division, including the Hilden plant, to PFG. However, Germany’s Federal Cartel Office blocked the deal, citing PFG’s already dominant position in the beef sector.

Vion is now restarting efforts to find new buyers for its German operations. Meanwhile, discussions with the works council are underway to negotiate a social plan for affected staff. The company had earlier announced plans to refocus its business on the Benelux countries and exit the German market.

Separately, ZNVG eG took over Vion’s cattle operations in Hilden on March 1, 2025. Later, VVG Aller-Weser-Hunte eG and ZNVG eG merged to form VVG Nord eG on January 1, 2026.

The Hilden plant will cease operations by February 28, 2026, leaving 160 workers facing uncertainty. Vion continues to seek buyers for its remaining German assets while shifting its core business to the Benelux region. The company must now finalise agreements with the works council before the closure takes effect.