Del Monte Fresh Produce UK has announced the closure of its prepared leaf factory at Methwold.

“We have finished consultation with employees, however we do not have a definite closure date yet,” said md Peter Miller. “It is possible we will be able to sell the facility to a buyer not in the leaf business and we are talking to an interested party, so there could be a change of use. It that goes ahead reasonably quickly, then there could be jobs for some of our employees at the factory. Failing that, there will be redundancies I am afraid.”

Miller stressed that the decision to close the factory was not taken lightly and does not reflect badly on the calibre of staff. “We bought the factory four years ago,” said Miller. “And since then there has been overcapacity in the leaf business and it has be difficult for us to recover to an acceptable position. Once we have gone through this, the prepared division will be stronger.”