One of Ireland’s leading meat processors, Dawn Meats, has entered exclusive negotiations to acquire a significant shareholding in France’s second largest beef supplier.

Dawn Meats yesterday confirmed talks with French co-op Terrena ‘for the purchase of a non-controlling interest in Terrena’s beef subsidiary Elivia’.

Terrena and Dawn Meats’ beef businesses are similar in size, with turnover said to be approximately €1bn each. It is likely that, if agreed, the combined businesses would have an annual cattle kill of close to 1m head per annum.

Dawn Meats was established in Waterford in 1980 and is owned by the Queally and Browne families.

With multiple sites in Britain, Ireland and one in France, Dawn Meats product portfolio spans all beef and lamb cuts, through fresh and frozen beef patties to fully cooked ready to heat meal solutions.

Production facility

The company recently established a production facility in Waterford to supply McDonald’s restaurants across Europe.

Terrena is a co-operative group and is a major player in the farming and food industries based in the west of France (covering the Loire region, Poitou-Charentes and Brittany).

With 22,000 members and 11,800 employees (out of which Elivia accounts for 2,600 employees), the group posted 2012 revenues of €4.5bn (out of which Elivia: €1bn). Terrena sells its meat via leading brands such as Tendre et Plus and D’Anvial.