The smallgoods company Verkerks is to close a chunk of its fresh meat business with the loss of up to 22 jobs.
The Christchurch company currently operates two abattoirs and a processing factory.
Under a proposal put to its staff on Friday, the beef slaughtering plant in Christchurch would close, and some of its operations will be combined with the Ashburton site.
Verkerks' chief executive Terry Pierson says between 12 and 22 jobs will be lost in the move.
Mr Pearson says the wholesale meat operation is becoming less economic as the meat industry consolidates.
