Production is slated to commence in 2026.
UK-based food processing giant Hilton Foods has revealed plans to venture into the North American market, inking a long-term supply agreement with Walmart Canada, the company announced on Thursday.
Hilton Foods, a prominent presence in 13 European markets through collaborations with retailers such as Tesco, Costco, and Rimi, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Eastern Canada.
This agreement sees the processor set to supply Walmart with an assortment of products, initially including beef, lamb, pork, and seafood, before diversifying into value-added lines.
To oversee this endeavour, Hilton Foods Canada, a newly-minted division, will shoulder the financial responsibilities for the upcoming facilities. Production is slated to commence in 2026, with initial investments in machinery and equipment earmarked for 2024.
In 2017, Hilton made its first foray into the world of seafood when it acquired Grimsby-based Icelandic Seachill.
The company further expanded its seafood ambitions in 2021 with the acquisition of Foppen, a smoked salmon supplier for Costco.
In recent years, however, the group’s seafood business has been grappling with various market challenges, including repercussions of the Ukraine conflict and overarching inflationary pressures.
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