Ireland-based Dawn Meats declined to comment on any takeover bid.
A Dawn Meats spokeswoman said: “It is Dawn Meats policy not to comment on market rumour or speculation.”
No-one at Dunbia was available to comment on the bid.
An industry expert, who didn’t want to be named, told FoodManufacture.co.uk that a deal between the two firms was “quite likely”.
The two firms had been in takeover talks for about six months, according to reports.
Growing collection
Dawn Meats – owner of the Black Angus, The Premium Butcher and the Highland Meats brands – will add to its growing collection of UK-based businesses, if the deal is confirmed.
It has acquired four UK meat firms since 2011, including Duerden Lindal Moor Beef Abattoir, the Jasper beef abattoir and West Devon Meats.
A deal would see Dunbia’s owners sell the rest of the business, after selling its pork business to Cranswick in November.
Dunbia started as a butchers shop in 1976, and now reports sales of almost £790M a year. It owns the Farmhouse Champion, Pure Nature and Aberdeen Angus brands.