Sofina Foods expands European meat operations with Finnebrogue acquisition
Canadian company acquires UK sausage and bacon processor as part of its growing footprint in Europe
NORTHERN IRELAND – Sofina Foods has purchased UK-based meat manufacturer Finnebrogue, marking another step in the Canadian food company’s expansion into European markets.
The deal was announced in July, with Sofina confirming it had acquired the family-run business through its European division, although the purchase price was not disclosed.
Finnebrogue, headquartered in County Down, Northern Ireland, produces a variety of pork products including outdoor-bred sausages, bacon, and ham.
It also manufactures plant-based foods, but its core focus has remained in meat processing since it began operations in 1991.
The company currently operates four sites and employs approximately 1,200 staff members.
With this acquisition, Sofina Foods’ European workforce now totals more than 9,000 employees working across 27 production facilities.
Sofina Foods, based in Canada, provides a mix of private-label and branded products, primarily in the pork and seafood categories.
The company said the addition of Finnebrogue fits into its ongoing strategy to grow its global operations through targeted acquisitions.
Earlier in May, Sofina also acquired Exceldor, a poultry cooperative based in Canada, indicating continued international interest across protein sectors.
Commenting on the latest deal, Sofina’s founder and CEO Michael Latifi said the acquisition supports the company’s long-term plans to grow its presence across Europe.
He noted that Sofina and Finnebrogue operate with similar standards in food production and company culture, making the integration more straightforward.
Roger Burnley, chairman of Finnebrogue, said the new ownership creates opportunities for product development and employee growth within a broader European network.
Ash Amirahmadi, Sofina Foods’ European CEO, echoed this sentiment, stating that Finnebrogue’s operations are aligned with Sofina’s principles and business model.
Finnebrogue was started by Denis Lynn and his wife Christine in 1991 as a venison business before expanding into a broader range of meat and plant-based products.
Christine Lynn, who co-founded the company, said her late husband’s vision helped shape the business into a key player in Northern Ireland’s food sector.
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