Bernard Matthews Foods Limited
Working and living here
Farm information dated: 2026-06-11
Already working on a farm?
Incorrect pay, unsafe work or housing problems? Record what happened, keep your documents and find the right support service.
your rights on the farmIn immediate danger, call 999.Assessment based on sources at the profile date
Farm information was collected on different dates, shown on each profile. A past link with an operator does not confirm current recruitment. Before travelling, confirm your site, pay and housing in a written offer.
- seasonal workers
- ~900 (2022)per year
- region
- SuffolkUnited Kingdom
- crops
- turkeyharvest season
- season
- October–December (Christmas poultry season)working months
Main employer for poultry SWS seasonal workers in the UK (quota ~1,900 visas for 2026, only Pro-Force and RE Recruitment). Important: Great Witchingham factory closed in March 2024 — current address only Holton/Halesworth, Suffolk.
How to get onto the farm Bernard Matthews Foods Limited
Operator links recorded in sources
- Pro-Force source record — Pro-Force — one of two licensed poultry SWS operators. Link to Bernard Matthews confirmed by industry sources (according to research).
- RE Recruitment source record — RE Recruitment — the second licensed poultry SWS operator. Link to Bernard Matthews confirmed by industry sources (according to research).
Where it is and how to get aroundDistance to London, nearest station and town
Distances are measured from: Holton, Suffolk.
The farm has several sites — the figures are for the main one.
Distances are measured along the road. There is not always a pavement or footpath: many country roads in England have no verge, and walking along them is unsafe.
Station and town names are kept in English — that is how they appear on your ticket and on road signs.
The station nearest the farm is not always the one with London trains; the one listed here is the London one.
National Rail — train times and fares
Traveline — bus times
Housing and livingLiving conditions, amenities
not published (factory production, not field work)
Your passport must stay with you. If your passport is held against your will or you are threatened, seek independent support. Handing over a document does not by itself establish a criminal offence. Modern Slavery Helpline:08000 121 700 (free; temporarily daily 08:00–18:00 UK time, checked 7 October 2026).
Pay and piece rateHourly rate, piece rate, net earnings
The figures below relate to the sources and dates given. They do not guarantee current earnings. Ask for written terms covering the rate, paid hours, piece rates and deductions.
Current pay rules and payslip checks
not published
More about pay on the farm: first steps and your rights on the farm.
Scale and cropsFarm size, what they grow, production volume
Documented issuesInvestigations, violations, sources1 incident
Below are documented cases from public sources. This does not mean the situation has not changed — but it is useful to know.
If you face violations: your rights on the farm · Fair Work Agency (formerly GLAA) 0800 432 0804
Positive signals
- Largest and most well-known turkey producer in the UK
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the farm Bernard Matthews Foods Limited?
No — the specific farm is assigned by the Seasonal Worker Scheme operator. You apply through an operator, and they place you on farms based on available spots and your profile. Knowing which operators work with Bernard Matthews Foods Limited is useful: apply through them.
How much do they pay on the farm Bernard Matthews Foods Limited?
not published
When is the season on Bernard Matthews Foods Limited?
Season: October–December (Christmas poultry season). Crops: turkey. Check exact dates and availability with the operator when you apply.
Which operators work with Bernard Matthews Foods Limited?
Confirmed operators: Pro-Force, RE Recruitment. Apply through the operator's official website — it is free.