Cranswick grows UK self-sufficiency with pig farming acquisition
The Yorkshire-based Buckle family business specialises in the production of Red Tractor assured pigs. The move is part of Cranswick’s Second Nature strategy focusing on sustainability.
Cranswick has also acquired the Buckle family’s 50% share of its White Rose Farms pig production joint venture set up by the two businesses in 2018. The White Rose Farms operation will continue to be led by Rick Buckle as managing director.
This is the second pig farming business recently acquired by Cranswick. In December 2019, it acquired premium pig farming outfit Packington Pork Limited. The two acquisitions bring Cranswick’s self-sufficiency in UK pigs to over 30%.
Buckle has been an exclusive supplier to Cranswick for more than 20 years and this acquisition will bring a further 1,600 pigs per week into its own rearing capability plus another 1,000 pigs from the White Rose Farms operation.
According to Investec’s Nicola Mallard, “it is the group’s intention to continue to invest organically so we could see this capability grow further over time, without any further acquisitions”.
Shore Capital also predicted a rise in capacity at White Rose Farms and suggested that Cranswick was “well-positioned to benefit from the impact of African Swine Fever on global protein prices”.
Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “I am pleased to announce today’s transaction, which further reinforces our strategic commitment to supporting and growing the British pig farming industry. We have worked with the Buckle family for over 25 years and we are delighted to welcome Rick, as managing director of White Rose Farms, and the wider team to Cranswick.”
