Smithfield announced the plant closure in November 2011, and the company expects the closure to be complete by mid-August.
Smithfield Packing plans to shift production from the closed facility to its plant in Kinston, NC. The company's $85.5 million hot dog and packaged meats production line has been operating for several months and currently employs about 650 people. The Portsmouth closure impacted more than 400 employees.
The move comes during a proposed buyout of Smithfield Foods by Hong Kong-based Shuanghui International Holdings, Ltd. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.