Operating profits at Dunbia UK were up 31% in 2025, although the latest accounts for the company show that beef and lamb processing remains a high turnover, low margin business.

In the year ending 28 December 2025, record beef prices contributed to a 20% increase in the value of sales, resulting in turnover for the UK business crossing £2bn (£2.011bn) for the first time.

High cattle prices meant the cost of those sales were up 21%, while distribution costs rose 4% and administrative expenses increased 11%. That left operating profit at £18.25m, which was an increase of over £4m on the £13.9m from the previous year.

Operating profit margins remain tight, although they did rise slightly in 2025 to sit at 0.91%, compared to 0.83% in 2024.

The company had bank borrowings in 2025 of nearly £87m and once interest charges and tax are removed, it left profit for the year at just £4.64m. The net assets of the business finished 2025 at £149.65m, up from £144.5m in the previous year.

Dunbia operates across 13 sites in the UK of which 11 are abattoirs, including at Dungannon in Co Tyrone. UK employee numbers in 2025 stood at 4,592.

Following a merger in 2017, Dunbia has operated as a division within the Waterford-based Dawn Meats group of companies, owned by the Browne and Queally families.

Its immediate parent company is Dunbia Holdings Ltd, incorporated in the Isle of Man, with the ultimate parent and controlling party being QDB Holdings IOM Unlimited, incorporated in the Isle of Man. Financial statements for QDB Holdings are not publicly available.