The Port Wakefield abattoir hopes to re-employ some more of its former workers from the middle of this year.

Fire nearly destroyed the Primo abattoir last February, causing about $30 million damage.

The company is hoping to boost its workforce to full capacity once the kill floor is reopened in August.

Plant manager Mark Viney says there may be further opportunities to expand job numbers, but for now the focus is on re-building the business.

"Mainly the same staff that was on the kill floor last time will go back to their positions, they'll most probably come back a few of them, or we'll just employ some more people," he said.

"All up it will be around the 50, we should get back to our 380 by Christmas."

Source ABC News

(Earthworks for the reconstruction of the slaughter floor commenced in mid April - ed)