Patrick Hook talks to Poultry Business about the sale of Hook2Sisters
For the past 20 years, PD Hook and 2 Sisters Food Group have been leading names in the UK poultry sector. Their joint venture, Hook2Sisters, has supplied retailers with chicken through one of the largest integrated farming operations in the country. But in June 2025, the partners announced a major change: the sale of Hook2Sisters, along with a package of PD Hook’s rearing, breeding and hatching farms, to the Boparan Private Office (BPO), the investment vehicle of Ranjit Singh Boparan. The undisclosed deal, which completed in August, will establish a fully integrated agricultural supply chain under BPO, linking directly into 2 Sisters Food Group, Bernard Matthews and Shazan Foods.
For PD Hook, this marks a turning point. While the company will retain some hatcheries and continue supplying day-old chicks to the independent market, it is stepping back from the joint venture model that has defined much of its recent history. The sale comes at a time when the chicken market has been a hard place to make money, with rising costs, retail price pressures and shifting consumer demand all weighing heavily on producers.
Farmers have voiced both curiosity and concern about what this transition means for them. Many note that James Hook has built strong, personal relationships with growers over the years, while Ranjit Boparan is widely regarded as a tougher, more hard-nosed businessman. Questions remain over whether the same level of farmer-focused support will continue under BPO ownership.
Poultry Businss spoke to Patrick Hook about why the family business chose this moment to sell, what the deal means for PD Hook’s future direction, and how he sees the wider poultry industry evolving in the years ahead.
“In fairness to both parties, it was the right time for the businesses to move on,” says Hook, who presents an upbeat picture of the separation of the two businesses. “We’re now in a position to focus solely on the independent market and our external customers. Before the deal, we supplied them too, but now we can put all our effort into growing that side of the business.”
The chicken market has undoubtedly been challenging over the past few years, with margins tight (or in some cases non-existent), but according to Hook, the deal was driven not by market pressures, but by the opportunities the split has given both businesses. “They wanted an integrated supply chain,” Hook says. “We facilitated that, and as a consequence, both businesses are stronger.”
PD Hook meanwhile has retained and continues to operate two hatcheries at Cote and Dalton together with the supporting rearing and breeding farms which will allow them to continue to focus on the supply of day-old chicks to the independent market. Hook, who is a director alongside his father and several other family members, says the business is now planning to expand and modernise its operations.
Hatcheries
PD Hook’s two hatcheries are now providing three and a half million day-old chicks per week. With facilities in both northern and southern England, the company is well positioned to serve the entire independent market.
“We’ve got a strategically well-located business north and south of England,” Hook says. “All of our major customers want to grow, and we need to make sure we have sufficient rearing, breeding, and hatching capacity over the next three to five years to meet that demand.”
The company is actively investing in its infrastructure. “Our first project is refurbishing our home site at Cote, which produces two million chicks a week,” Hook says. “Some equipment is around 60 years old. We need to rebuild and modernise to ensure we continue to meet demand.”
The current plan is to rebuild the hatchery in second half of 2026, Hook says “We’ve got draft plans in place, and we’ll make sure production continues without interruption.”
Breeder operations
In addition to updating its hatchery facilities, PD Hook is expanding breeder operations. “We’ve got additional sheds being built on two breeder farms, and we’ve acquired another farm in Yorkshire to provide more breeder stock,” says Hook. These investments are designed not just to meet demand but also to de-risk the business. “It’s about maintaining and increasing our volumes while ensuring security and disease management.”
Looking ahead, PD Hook is considering the addition of a third hatchery. While no final site has been selected, it is likely to be in the west. “We want a site in the west to cover northwest England and parts of Wales,” says Hook. “This will complement our existing sites and ensure we maintain strong regional supply.”
The scale of investment required is significant. “Building a new breeder farm costs around £4 million, and a new hatchery can cost £25-30 million. It’s a big commitment, but it ensures we can continue supplying our customers reliably and sustainably.”
Independent market
The independent poultry market in the UK is stronger than ever. PD Hook sees significant opportunities as consumer preference for homegrown, high-quality poultry grows.
“The independent market is the strongest it’s ever been in my time,” says Hook. “Customers want British chicken, and all want to grow. Availability of growing space is limited, so our regional focus is critical. There’s a bright future for the independent market, and for the industry as a whole.”
With demand projected to grow by 3% annually, equivalent to around 600,000 additional chickens per week, the company sees a clear need to expand capacity responsibly. “We need planning permission to allow for new farms and expansions, but growth must be gradual and sustainable,” Hook says.
Challenges
PD Hook is also mindful of international factors affecting the poultry market. Disease outbreaks across Europe, including Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease, and imports from countries like Ukraine, underscore the importance of a strong domestic supply chain.
“Ukraine has large, well-funded poultry operations because it’s a massive agricultural producer,” says Hook. “They have access to feed, cheap labour, and flexible planning laws. While imports will always play a role, our priority is to protect the British market and ensure safe, high-quality chicken for consumers.”
As the company invests in infrastructure and expands operations, Hook is positive for the future of both the firm and the whole industry.
“Demand for British chicken is growing, the independent market is thriving, and the future looks bright,” the spokesperson concludes. “We’re excited about our plans, and confident in the opportunities ahead.”