Perdue Farms will eliminate the second shift at a turkey processing plant in Washington, Indiana, resulting in hundreds of job losses.

In a filing with Indiana state, the US poultry group confirmed it is laying off 293 employees.

“Changes in consumer demand, decreasing turkey flocks, and how we produce and supply our products have impacted the Washington operations in recent years, making the change to one production shift necessary to achieve operational efficiencies,” a Perdue spokesperson said in a statement to Just Food when asked about the rationale for the layoffs.

Calling the decision “difficult”, the spokesperson said: “We value the many contributions of our Washington associates, and we are committed to doing all we can to support impacted associates during this transition.”

The non-unionised workers will permanently lose their jobs when second-shift operations end on 10 October, with their final separation date set for 2 November.

“All affected employees have been notified of their last work dates and separation dates,” Colby Rigg, director of operations at Perdue Foods, said in the filing.

Rigg also confirmed employees will not be eligible to replace junior workers at the Washington facility or other plants.

Perdue said the layoffs will not impact its other operations in Indiana, which include a feed mill, grain receiving facility, hatchery and breeder operations.

Approximately 465 workers will remain at the Washington facility, which produces turkey products for retail and foodservice customers.

Earlier this year, Perdue closed a production plant in Monterey, Tennessee, leading to the loss of more than 400 jobs.

At the time, Perdue CEO Kevin McAdams said the step was “necessary to ensure Perdue remains fit for the future”.

The move followed the closure of its meat facility in Michigan in 2023, leading to 132 job cuts.