Poultry business Moy Park told staff today it needs to close its plant in Moira, Co Down because of cheap foreign competition but that there need not be job losses.
But it said if the shutdown goes ahead in the Spring workers could transfer to the nearby site at Craigavon, Co Armagh.
Some 203 employees will each be offered similar employment in Craigavon - 40 per cent of them live closer to there than Moira, said the company.
It added that relocation opportunities could also be possible for some of the 25 administrative staff in Moira if the plant closes and they would prefer not to take the redundancy option.
The company said the "harsh reality" of the market was central to it taking the tough decision of the need to shut the plant. A consultation period with the workers is to be conducted before the final decision to close is made.
"Whilst consumers may be encouraging more local production of food - and enlightened producers are responding as best they can to this most encouraging of trends - the reality in major sectors like poultry is that buyers can and do source from a global supply base," the company said.
PA