There are reports that Dunbia, one of the top meat processors in the British Isles, could be close to agreeing terms to merge with 2 Sisters, a UK-based meat processor. The deal is said to be worth more than £1.3bn.

When contacted by the Irish Farmers Journal, a senior Dunbia representative said that he was not yet in a position to comment on the possible deal.

However, the company is expected to make a formal statement in the next few days. From the outside, a merger between the two companies would seem like a natural fit, as combined they would have access to nearly all the major British supermarket outlets.