GREELEY, Colo., Aug.  17, 2026  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pilgrim&#39;s Europe today announced it has agreed to acquire Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage Company from Samworth Brothers, subject to approval by the Competition and

Pilgrim's Agrees to Acquisition of Walkers Deli & Sausage Company

Pilgrim's Europe to Acquire Walkers Deli & Sausage, Expands UK Premium Pork Footprint

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 <h3>Information</h3>
 GREELEY, Colo., Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pilgrim&amp;#39;s Europe today announced it has agreed to acquire Walkers Deli &amp;amp; Sausage Company from Samworth Brothers, subject to approval by the Competition and
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 <h3>AI Summary</h3>
 Pilgrim’s Europe has agreed to acquire Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage from Samworth Brothers, subject to CMA approval and UK employee consultation. The deal broadens Pilgrim&#039;s UK footprint in premium pork and leverages Walkers’ strong own-label capabilities. If cleared and integrated, the move could drive long-term value through improved scale and product diversification.
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 <h3>Key Points</h3>
 <ul><li>Pilgrim&#039;s Europe to acquire Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage, CMA approval required.</li><li>Walkers is a UK premium pork producer with four Leicester facilities and 1,150 staff.</li><li>Acquisition expands Pilgrim&#039;s Europe footprint and value-added premium pork offerings.</li><li>Regulatory and integration risks may delay upside and margins.</li><li>Pilgrim&#039;s already supplies some Walkers raw pork.</li></ul>
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 <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
 <ul><li>Pilgrim&#039;s Pride Corporation (PPC): Acquirer; expansion into UK premium pork could impact PPC&#039;s mix, margins, and growth trajectory.</li><li>Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage Company (Private): UK premium pork producer; asset being acquired; potential supply relationship integration with Pilgrim&#039;s Europe.</li><li>Samworth Brothers (Private): Seller; divestiture to focus on other growth areas; regulatory considerations may affect closing.</li></ul>
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 <h3>M&amp;A</h3>
 Category: M&amp;A. The deal signals strategic consolidation in UK premium meat, expanding PPC&#039;s Europe platform and potential long-term value, contingent on regulatory clearance and successful integration.
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 <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
 <ul><li>CMA approval timing and conditions could drive near-term PPC volatility.</li><li>Potential supply-chain synergies and higher-margin premium pork products may lift long-term margins.</li><li>Strengthened Pilgrim&#039;s Europe platform could influence future capital allocation.</li><li>Closing timing depends on employee consultation and regulatory clearance.</li></ul>
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 <section data-block="key-facts">
 <h3>Key Facts</h3>
 <ul><li>Announcement date: Aug 17, 2026.</li><li>Walkers employs about 1,150 staff and operates four Leicester facilities.</li><li>Acquisition subject to CMA approval and UK employee consultation.</li><li>Walkers portfolio includes premium sausages, sliced meats, bacon, snacking, pâté.</li><li>Pilgrim&#039;s Pride (PPC) employs ~63,000; Pilgrim&#039;s Europe ~17,000 across 40+ sites.</li></ul>
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 <section data-block="trading-thesis">
 <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
 Over the next 6–12 months, PPC could see modest upside from European expansion and synergies, contingent on CMA approval.
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<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.globenewswire.com/styles/gnw_nitf.css"></link>GREELEY, Colo., Aug. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pilgrim&#39;s Europe today announced it has agreed to acquire Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage Company from Samworth Brothers, subject to approval by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and employee consultation in the United Kingdom. Walkers is one of the UK&#39;s most established and respected producers of premium pork products, with a heritage dating back to 1824. The business operates from four production facilities on a single site in Leicester and employs approximately 1,150 team members. The acquisition represents an important strategic step for Pilgrim&#39;s Europe, strengthening its position within the UK food industry and expanding its presence in value-added premium pork categories. It also enhances Pilgrim&#39;s footprint in the UK and builds on an existing long-standing relationship between the two businesses, with Pilgrim&#39;s currently supplying some of Walkers&#39; raw pork requirements. Fabio Sandri, CEO of Pilgrim’s, said: "The addition of Walkers further advances our strategy to grow through a diversified portfolio of value-added food businesses in key markets around the world. This transaction strengthens our European platform, expands our capabilities in value-added foods and supports our long-term growth ambitions. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and confident this acquisition will strengthen our business and create long-term value for our customers, team members and shareholders." Walkers has a highly complementary portfolio spanning premium sausages, sliced cooked meats, cooked bacon and snacking products, and pâté. The business serves leading UK retailers and is recognised for its expertise in premium own-label food production. Ivan Siqueira, President of Pilgrim&#39;s Europe, said: "Walkers is a fantastic business with a proud heritage, a highly skilled team and a strong reputation for quality and innovation. This acquisition is a natural strategic fit for Pilgrim&#39;s Europe. We already have a well-established supply relationship with Walkers and see significant opportunities to build on the strengths of both businesses. By bringing Walkers into Pilgrim&#39;s Europe, we will further strengthen our integrated supply chain, expand our presence in attractive premium pork categories and enhance our ability to serve customers across the UK. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to welcoming Walkers&#39; colleagues to the Pilgrim&#39;s family following completion of the transaction." Samworth Brothers Chief Executive, Simon Wookey added: "Walkers is an outstanding business that has made a significant contribution to Samworth Brothers over many years. As the protein sector has become increasingly specialised and integrated, we believe Walkers is well positioned for its next phase of growth as part of a business with protein at its core and expertise across the supply chain. This transaction enables Samworth Brothers to focus investment on the significant growth opportunities we see across Food to Go, Savoury Pastry, Meals and our portfolio of Brands. We are incredibly proud of what our Walkers colleagues have built and grateful for their contribution. We are confident this move provides a strong platform for the business&#39;s future success." The immediate priority following completion will be to support Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage colleagues through the transition, while maintaining the high levels of service and quality that customers expect. Together, Pilgrim&#39;s Europe and Walkers Deli &amp; Sausage will be well positioned to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiencies, and continue delivering high-quality products to consumers across the UK. About Pilgrim’s Pride Pilgrim’s employs approximately 63,000 people and operates protein processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the UK, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. The Company’s primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors. For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=1Oc7kqVkqQOEWhIXgTpKbpsb7VETaIpajd-xu5Z2dXBGud9P6SWkQPRzHqGVjJeWW8liEdNWaGEwzx4_Z9VkbI_dcLxPpeGyuWAteZYyRII=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.pilgrims.com</a>. About Pilgrim&#39;s Europe Pilgrim’s Europe is a top UK and European food company employing 17,000+ team members across 40+ sites in the UK, Ireland, France and The Netherlands. We are a leader in making quality food sustainably in partnership with local farmers through our Poultry, Pork, Lamb and Beef supply chains. Driven by passion and insight, we create better food for everyone, producing own label and branded fresh chicken, pork and lamb, as well as authentic chilled and frozen ready meals, snacking ranges, added value and food service products for multiple markets. Our iconic brands include, Richmond, Fridge Raiders, Mattessons, Rollover, Oakhouse Denny, Galtee, and Moy Park. About Samworth Brothers At Samworth Brothers we do good things with great food. We are a fourth-generation family business manufacturing high quality and ambient food enjoyed by millions of people in the UK and Ireland every day. We have a turnover of £1.8bn, with more than 12,000 colleagues working at sites all over the UK, including Leicestershire, Cornwall, East Sussex and Manchester, and also in Dublin, Ireland. Our customers include major supermarkets, convenience stores, hospitality venues, workplaces and travel outlets. As a business we seek to be a long-term force for good. We make profit so that we can reinvest in the future of the business and make a positive difference for our people, our communities, and all of our stakeholders. Media Contact: Nikki Richardson <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=1DM5byQGToWm2dS6Tl6BB5H1et6H7aXf0-l1vw3Ym7bVkaWlLqniQWGG8m8cGr_WIZbD6LF2b2sWGNkk_xtpbPs3d3RYG267iatapJqsAcE2ZqbKKtV6J085ZsDdqTg6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">nikki.richardson@jbssa.com</a> <img alt="" class="__GNW8366DE3E__IMG" src="https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti?nf=OTgxMTAyNyM3Nzc5MTM1IzIwMDQ0MTU="></img> <img alt="" src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/MmE0OWE2ZjYtMzJhMS00YTI3LTlhNmEtZjdjMGMxN2Y1YmMwLTEwMTU5ODgtMjAyNi0wOC0xNy1lbg==/tiny/Pilgrim-s-Pride-Corporation.png" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></img><a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b84ed929-ae25-4d9e-a3ab-516587c2ef23"><img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/b84ed929-ae25-4d9e-a3ab-516587c2ef23/small/pilgrimslogocluster-globe-jpg.jpg" border="0" width="150" height="150" alt="Primary Logo"></img></a>

Pilgrim’s Europe has agreed to acquire Walkers Deli & Sausage from Samworth Brothers, subject to CMA approval and UK employee consultation. The deal broadens Pilgrim's UK footprint in premium pork and leverages Walkers’ strong own-label capabilities. If cleared and integrated, the move could drive long-term value through improved scale and product diversification.

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Pilgrim's Agrees to Acquisition of Walkers Deli & Sausage Company

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