Dawn Meats and French company Terrena have entered into exclusive talks for the purchase of a non-controlling interest in Terrena’s beef subsidiary Elivia.

The board of Dawn Meats and the board of Terrena confirm that they have entered into exclusive talks that may result in Dawn Meats, a leading red meat supplier in Ireland and the UK, exporting to more than 40 markets worldwide, purchasing a non-controlling interest in Terrena’s beef subsidiary Elivia, the number two beef supplier in France.

Terrena and Dawn Meats’ beef businesses are similar in size, and are complementary in their respective markets. Their shared strategic focus is underpinned by three key objectives: quality, improved efficiency and joint development of new business opportunities, especially on the European market.

Dawn Meats was established in Waterford, Ireland in 1980. It has a €1bn turnover business, employing 2,700 employees.

Terrena is a co-operative group, a major player in the farming and food industries based in the west of France, the leading farming region in Europe.  With 22,000 members and 11,800 employees, out of which Elivia accounts for 2,600 employees, the group posted 2012 revenues of €4.5bn, out of which Elivia secured €1bn.