Smithfield is the largest pork producer locally by volumes and turnover. In Romania, the company currently has 49 farms in Timis and Arad counties. However, in 2022 and even recently, the company has coped with African swine fever and tens of thousand pigs were slaughtered.
The economic context fallout and the unfavorable sanitary-veterinary background are also reflected in the number of employees, which dropped from over 2,600 to around 2,400. Virtually, in one year the company has laid off around 200 persons.
As a matter of fact, Smithfield Romania profit plunged from RON68.5 million in 2021 to RON3.1 million in 2022, namely 22 times.
An explanation could be the fact that in 2022 Smithfield took over Goodies Meat Production producing private label cold cuts for retailers.
Romania’s pork market is still dominated by imports, which top half a million euros.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)