Seachill Grimsby

Grimsby-based Seachill signed a long-term supply contract with Tesco in 2016

Saucy Fish Co owner Seachill has secured a contract worth an estimated £50m to supply Tesco with all its own-label chilled prawn.

The deal, first reported by industry website Undercurrent News, will see Hilton Food Group-owned Seachill take over as Tesco’s sole prawn supplier from Worcestershire-based Blue Earth Foods.

Both Tesco and Seachill declined to comment on the deal. However, it is understood the agreement - which represents a further deepening of Seachill’s strategic supply relationship with the retailer - will see it supply cooked and raw prawns from both coldwater and warmwater fisheries. 

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It follows a return to Tesco shelves of the Saucy Fish Co brand last October, following a gap of more than two years with listings for its frozen range, and a pledge by Seachill CEO Simon Smith last October (after its acquisition by Hilton was completed) to target more supermarket listings for the supplier.  

Grimsby-based Seachill entered into a long-term partnership with Tesco to supply a range of own label seafood in 2016, and currently supplies the retailer with more than 60% of its chilled fish, according to analysis of industry data by The Grocer.

Results posted by Hilton Food Group earlier this month revealed a sharp upturn in sales, which climbed by 25% during the first half of 2018 to £863.6m. Growth was boosted by the strong performance of Seachill, with volume sales up 14% for the 28 weeks to 15 July 2018.