Vion: 2024 Strategy Execution Drives Strong Results in 2025
2024 was a pivotal year of strategic transformation for Vion, delivering the expected results. In line with the company’s long-term strategy, Vion reshaped its portfolio, addressing underperforming or non-strategic operations. Despite reporting a loss due to these one-time restructuring and divestment-related costs, Vion started 2025 with a strong operational foundation, secured refinancing, improved performance, and financial stability. The current performance is above ambitious positive planning. This year we also included our sustainability statement into the annual report.
Tjarda Klimp, CEO Vion Food Group: “2024 was about making tough decisions and executing them, preparing our company for sustainable profitability in the future. Our strategic direction remains unchanged. We focus on long-term value creation in the Benelux and responsible food production in our core markets. We continue on our path with focus and consistency.”
Executing the plan, step by step
Market conditions remained challenging in 2024, with tight livestock availability driving high purchase prices, continued pressure from global competitors with lower production costs, and rising labour expenses. At the same time, demand for animal welfare and sustainability-focused products continued to grow across Europe. Vion’s Pork and Beef businesses improved their performance in both the Netherlands and Germany. Food Service continued to grow year-on-year, although margin pressure from delayed pass-through of rising beef raw material prices affected 2024. This is expected to stabilise in 2025.
The company addressed underperforming activities in Germany by closing and divesting sites, thereby focusing on markets with stronger valorisation opportunities and more stable long-term potential. The final phase of this process, involving the southern German beef operations, reflects a long-term strategic repositioning rather than a performance issue. Although the planned share deal was blocked by the German Federal Cartel Office in June 2025, the decision has no operational impact, and no closures of the southern German slaughterhouses are expected. The Change that Matters programme continues to strengthen agility and efficiency, though labour and livestock cost inflation have largely absorbed the financial effects achieved so far.
Vion also completed a successful refinancing with all related banks in early 2025, supported by the company’s strong start into the year. This refinancing secures the financial flexibility needed to execute its strategy, maintain operational stability, and support long-term investments.
Turning change into results – strong start to 2025
2025 marks the final year of Vion’s transformation programme Change that Matters and is fully focused on delivering performance. The company is adapting to a “new normal” focusing on operational discipline and a culture of continuous improvement. Vion’s core business in the Benelux and its German beef operations continue to perform well and are expected to deliver solid results in 2025. The current performance is already above expectations.
“You don’t see results overnight. But now, the hard work of the past two years is paying off. Operationally, we are getting stronger. We have made our tough calls, transformation is working. In 2025, this is clearly reflected in the results.” Tjarda Klimp, CEO Vion Food Group
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