Eberswalder Wurstwerk closes: State aims to preserve site - Brandenburg’s iconic meat plants close, leaving farmers and workers in limbo
Brandenburg’s meat industry is facing major upheaval as two key sites close their doors. The historic Eberswalde sausage works, employing around 500 people, will shut by February 2026, while the Perleberg slaughterhouse—the largest in the state—has already ceased operations. The closures leave farmers and workers scrambling for alternatives, with livestock now likely to be sent out of the regions for processing.
The Eberswalde sausage factory, known for its long-standing 'Eberswalder' brand, will end production after its owner, EWN Wurstspezialitäten GmbH & Co. KG, deemed the site economically unsustainable. Despite the shutdown, the brand itself will live on under the Zur-Mühlen Group, a subsidiary of Premium Food Group. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt has stressed her preference for keeping production regional, hoping Brandenburg pork and beef will still be used—even if processed elsewhere. Henrik Wendorff, head of the Brandenburg Farmers’ Association, has pushed back, arguing that sausages bearing the Eberswalde name should be made in Eberswalde to avoid misleading consumers.
The Perleberg slaughterhouse, acquired by Uhlen GmbH from Lower Saxony in 2024, closed by the end of 2025, just a year after the takeover. Its shutdown forces livestock farmers to transport animals to Weißenfels in Saxony-Anhalt or even abroad for slaughter. The state government has been exploring support measures, including potential funding, but discussions have stalled as the company has yet to respond to proposals. Behind the scenes, talks continue about repurposing the sites. The ministry is considering support for new business ventures in Perleberg, while regional agricultural firms have shown interest in collaborating on a greenfield slaughterhouse project. However, no concrete plans have materialised, leaving the future of both locations uncertain.
The closures mark a significant shift for Brandenburg’s agricultural sector, with hundreds of jobs at risk and livestock logistics disrupted. While the 'Eberswalder' brand will continue under new ownership, the loss of local production raises questions about supply chains and regional identity. The state’s next steps depend on whether companies engage with support offers or pursue independent solutions.
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