Global meat processing company Danish Crown is planning to scale down activities by closing the night shift at its abattoir in Ringsted due to the ‘lower than expected’ supply of pigs.

The decision to close the night shift will begin from 1 June and is expected to affect nearly 140 jobs at the facility.

Around 70 employees will be allowed to work as holiday reliefs up until September.

Danish Crown pork production vice-president Per Laursen said: “It’s with great regret that we’ve made this decision, but unfortunately it is a necessary step. I’m sorry that we have to say goodbye to so many highly skilled employees, who have worked hard since we started the extra night shift last summer.

“The supply of the pigs has increased over the past few months, but the increase was marginal and was lower than the company’s estimate.”

“They have done a great job, as have their colleagues who helped to train them.”

It is noted that the supply of the pigs has increased over the past few months, but the increase was marginal and was lower than the company’s estimate.

Last year in May, the meat processing company introduced its growth package in order to stop the declining supply of pigs.

However, the introduction of the package resulted in a 2.5% pigs supply increase in comparison to earlier years.

The company started the night shifts at its Ringsted facility in order to increase the supply of the pigs for slaughter by 5%.

Currently, Danish Crown is reported to be one of the world’s largest pork exporters as well as Europe’s largest pork processor.

It is also Europe’s largest meat processing company and also one of the major companies in the European beef market.