Fleischcenter Perleberg closes: 150 jobs at risk!

Fleischcenter Perleberg closes: 150 jobs at risk!

The Perleberg meat center, known as the largest slaughterhouse in Brandenburg, will close at the end of December. This regrettable decision was announced in a press release on Friday. The closure is due to economic and market challenges that management deemed insurmountable. Managing director Ringo Beinroth did not see a positive forecast for the continuation of operations and is now starting to stop production and lay off around 150 employees for operational reasons. The talks between management and the works council, which started at the end of October, aim to achieve a balance of interests. A voluntary social plan for the workforce will be implemented, although the details will remain confidential.

The district administrator of the Prignitz district, Christian Müller, expressed deep regret about the developments. He emphasizes that the closure will not only hit employees hard, but could also have a negative impact on the entire economic environment of the district and business customers. The district had been aware of the tense economic conditions in the meat sector since January 2025 and tried to find solutions in intensive discussions with the company and Minister Hanka Mittelstädt. Unfortunately without the desired success. Despite all efforts, it was not possible to find a viable solution to keep operations going.

The consequences for employees

Not only the production employees are affected by the closure, but also around 25 employees of the district administration who work in the slaughterhouse. The district is currently assessing the possible consequences of this closure, although the results are still pending. According to Ringo Beinroth, the entire closure process will be transparent, which is important for many employees who are worried about their future.

This closure is not just another example of the challenges facing the meat industry. In the context of the current market situation, there is a clear trend: more and more slaughterhouses in Germany are fighting for survival. The background is not only strong competition, but also health crises, such as the outbreak of African swine fever. Many slaughterhouses, including those in other federal states, face similar problems. Vion, for example, is planning to close more operations, while in Lower Saxony it is pursuing a strategy to promote smaller, decentralized slaughterhouses.

The ongoing crisis shows that it is time to rethink the framework conditions and structures in the meat industry. Experts have already been involved for possible solutions, but implementation remains a challenge. Whether this will help the industry and the employees affected remains questionable.

For those affected in the Perleberg meat center, there was hope for a renewed concept that promised a secure future. But these hopes have now been dashed, and the closure raises many questions about the further development of the industry and the future of the employees. The situation remains tense and it remains to be seen what measures will now be taken to manage the transition for the affected employees.

For more information about the closure and its impact, see reports from Northern Courier and Prignitz district, as well as the general challenges in the industry Agricultural today.