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Belfast animal feed factory closure confirmed with 29 job losses. Trouw Nutrition Ireland announced the shutdown of its Ship Street production facility earlier this week. The facility will close on September 30, 2026.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Company: Trouw Nutrition Ireland, part of Dutch-based Nutreco group
- Location: Ship Street production facility in North Belfast
- Closure Date: September 30, 2026
- Affected Jobs: 29 positions primarily in production roles out of 77 total Northern Ireland employees
Global Feed Company Makes Structural Changes
Trouw Nutrition Ireland, a European animal feed specialist, confirmed the closure decision on May 14, 2026 after initial reports surfaced in March. The company stated the shutdown addresses long-standing structural challenges and ensures production meets increasingly demanding quality standards. Pieter Bastiaanssen, managing director for Trouw Nutrition Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the decision reflects necessary operational adjustments.
The facility produces feed specialities, feed additives, and premixes for livestock and farming operations across the island of Ireland. The closure marks a significant shift in how the company will serve its customer base in this key market.
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Operations Continue in Different Forms
Although production ceases, Trouw Nutrition keeps critical functions operating. Commercial, sales, technical support, and customer relationship teams will continue from its Clarendon Dock office in Belfast. The company emphasizes it remains committed to the Ireland-wide market despite ceasing manufacturing locally. Customer service and logistics teams will receive additional staffing to maintain service quality during the transition.
The company stated, “We have engaged with employees throughout the process and will continue to manage the closure period responsibly, with safety, compliance, and care for our people as priorities.”
Supply Chain Restructuring Takes Effect
Future product supply shifts to a multi-hub strategy leveraging European production networks. Products will be delivered through purpose-built facilities in Great Britain and the Netherlands, along with an expanded supply agreement involving North Down Grain (NDG) in Newtownards. This consolidation aims to strengthen resilience and reliability across operations serving Irish farmers and livestock producers.
| Aspect | Details |
| Production Closure | September 30, 2026 |
| Belfast Jobs Lost | 29 positions in production |
| Total NI Employees | 77 full-time staff |
| Belfast Operations Retained | Office functions at Clarendon Dock |
“We fully recognise the impact this decision has on our colleagues, and we regret the disruption it brings. However, it is a necessary step to address long-standing structural challenges and ensure our production set-up can meet increasingly demanding quality, traceability and compliance requirements in the future.”
— Pieter Bastiaanssen, Managing Director Trouw Nutrition Europe and Central Asia
Financial Performance and Industry Context
Trouw (UK) Limited, the parent company, posted £68.5 million in turnover for the year ending December 2024. However, the business reported pre-tax losses of £399,000 during that period, highlighting pressures affecting the feed manufacturing sector. The restructuring reflects broader industry challenges requiring operational efficiency improvements across European plants.
The company noted it will implement a carefully managed transition period before final closure, allowing time for workforce support and customer accommodation planning.
What Does This Mean for Northern Ireland Agriculture?
The Belfast factory closure impacts the Northern Irish farming and livestock community that relied on local production. However, continued office operations and expanded supply partnerships suggest the market will remain served through alternative channels. Questions remain about whether replacement employment opportunities will emerge in the region’s agricultural supply sector and how quickly NDG and European suppliers can absorb customer demand.
Sources
- Belfast Telegraph – Verified report on Trouw Nutrition closure confirmation and company statements
- Belfast Live – Job losses confirmation and closure announcement details
- The Irish News – Animal nutrition specialist closure and worker impact analysis
