Restructuring could see Silver Fern Farms shed nearly 100 jobs.
The meat processing company has agreed to sell its Silverstream plant near Mosgiel to the Christchurch-based Scales Group.
The company says it is proposing a cull of 16 full-time jobs as well as up to 80 seasonal positions with the final number to be agreed in two weeks time.
Silver Fern Farms says a small area will be leased back to allow a smaller operation to continue.