Published in News
Meat Company in Mafra Declared Insolvent
A long-established meat company in Mafra has been declared insolvent, but there is still hope for recovery with investor interest and a possible rescue plan.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
Company Faces Insolvency
The meat processing company Sicasal, based in the municipality of Mafra, has been officially declared insolvent by the Lisbon West District Court.
The request for insolvency was made by Banco Comercial Português (BCP), one of the company’s main creditors.
Court Decision and Next Steps
The court, located in Sintra, appointed Jorge Calvete as the insolvency administrator.
A meeting with creditors has been scheduled for 4 March. This meeting will be important to decide the future of the company.
Production Stopped, but Recovery Still Possible
According to the insolvency administrator:
Production at Sicasal is currently stopped
There is a plan being prepared to restart operations
Several investors have already shown interest
There is a strong intention to keep the factory open
This means the company may still survive if a recovery plan is approved.
Impact on Workers
Data from the Social Security Institute shows that:
At the end of 2024, Sicasal had 315 employees
By the end of 2025, this number had fallen to 260 employees
Many jobs are at risk, but a successful recovery plan could help protect remaining workers.
Problems Before Insolvency
Sicasal stopped production at the end of last summer.
In October, the company tried to enter a Special Revitalisation Process (PER). This process allows companies in financial trouble to negotiate with creditors.
However, the court rejected the PER because Sicasal did not submit required documents on time.
A Long History
Sicasal was founded in 1968 by its current administrator, Álvaro Santos Silva.
In 2011, a major fire destroyed part of the factory. At that time:
The company employed around 700 workers
It invested about €15 million to rebuild and expand
Jobs were saved, and production continued
This history shows that Sicasal has recovered from serious problems before.
What Happens Now?
The coming weeks will be crucial. The creditors’ meeting and possible investor proposals will decide whether Sicasal can restart production or face closure.
For now, the future of this historic meat company remains uncertain—but not without hope.
Source: https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-01-07/meat-company-declares-insolvency-in-portugal/941426