ABN has confirmed it intends to exit the UK monogastric compound feed market, bringing a dramatic change in direction for one of Britain’s largest suppliers of pig and poultry feed.
The announcement follows a period of restructuring within the business and comes little more than a year after the company announced work had begun on a major new animal nutrition complex, describing the development as a long-term investment in the future of the UK pig and poultry sectors.
In a statement issued following an announcement to employees last week, the company said it had taken “an incredibly difficult decision” about the future of its UK monogastric compound feed business.
A spokesperson said: “We have taken an incredibly difficult decision about the future of our UK monogastric compound feed business, ABN. Our intention for ABN is to exit this industry. This means exploring options, including divestment, for our remaining ABN mills.
“This decision follows careful consideration of the long-term changes affecting the UK monogastric compound feed market. Throughout this process, our priority will be to support our people, communicate openly and responsibly, and provide certainty wherever possible.
“We are committed to maintaining continuity of supply and delivering for our customers while we work towards the best possible outcome for our mills, our colleagues and all those connected to the business.”
The company said it would continue supplying customers throughout the process while it explores the future ownership of its remaining manufacturing sites.
The announcement follows several months of uncertainty surrounding ABN’s manufacturing network. In January, the business confirmed it was reviewing its operations and exploring the sale or lease of a number of mills after losing a major supply contract. At the time, sites including Cullompton in Devon, Langwathby in Cumbria, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and Enstone in Oxfordshire were reported to be under review, with the company saying it was seeking to optimise its manufacturing footprint while securing the long-term sustainability of the business.
The restructuring has already resulted in one completed transaction. Last August, Cranswick agreed to acquire ABN’s Fridaythorpe feed mill in East Yorkshire to strengthen its own pig feed manufacturing capacity. The site, which produced pig and poultry feed, had formed part of the ABN network since 1998.
The latest announcement represents a significant reversal from the company’s recent growth strategy. In 2021, ABN unveiled plans to build what it described as the UK’s largest and most efficient compound feed mill in the East of England, capable of producing one million tonnes of pig and poultry feed annually. The company said the investment would help meet growing demand for feed and reinforce its long-term commitment to British livestock production. Work on the project formally began during 2025 after planning permission was secured.