Both InterChicken and the Plukon Food Group specialise in fresh, pre-packaged products for the supermarket chains in north-western Europe.

The Plukon Food Group has five sites in the Netherlands, three in Belgium and five in Germany.

A total of 4,000 people are employed at these sites.

The turnover from the processing activities of the Plukon Food Group will be around €1.3 billion in 2012.

Apart from the supermarket channel, InterChicken in Bodegraven also focuses on the market for traditional family butchers and the Out of Home market.

InterChicken employs a total of 110 people.

The turnover from the processing activities of lnterChicken is expected to be €115 million in 2012.

The transaction will be submitted to the relevant competition authorities for approval and for advice to the Dutch Works Councils of both companies. The companies said the SER Merger Code will also be followed.

The proposed merger of InterChicken and Plukon retail Nederland aims to further both companies’ ambitions of securing a leading position on the Dutch poultry market, which endeavour also focuses on the continuity and quality of supply.

After the merger, the new group will have a joint turnover of approximately €1.4 billion euros and have more than 4,100 employees, 14 production plants and will process some 6.7 million chickens and turkeys per week.