Finnish poultry producer Atria has detailed plans to cut around 35 jobs in Sweden as part of a cost-cutting drive in the market.

The company said that it expects to generate annual cost savings of approximately EUR1.8m (US$2m), which will materialise in 2016. The reorganisation relates to sales, marketing and logistics functions in Sweden, Atria revealed.

Union negotiations will be initiated immediately, the group added.

Atria has seen first-half organic sales come under pressure, with constant currency sales declining 6.6% in the first six months of this financial year. However, a focus on productivity has enabled Atria to maintain stable operating profit, with first-half EBIT at EUR7.2m versus EUR7.1m last year. The company initiated a cost-efficiency drive in 2014 and has streamlined its sales structure as well as investing in modernising its European processing plants, including updating its sites in Sahalahti and Nurmo in Finland.