Protein producer Hilton Food Group has published its financial results for the 52 weeks to 28th December 2025, reporting that the review has “reinforced” its conviction in the strength of its core meat operations.
The business saw a volume increase of 0.2%, which it said reflected “resilient performance” from core retail meat and fresh prepared food against a highly inflationary backdrop, offsetting volume impact of challenging conditions for Seachill (its UK seafood business).
Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations was down 1% on a constant currency basis, with lower volumes on profit in Seachill impacting profit. Statutory operating profit includes adjusting costs of £27.6 million, relating to the operating challenges caused by regulatory restrictions on imports from Hilton Foods’ Foppen facility in Greece to the US.
However, total operating profit, including discontinued operations, included a £66.5 million gain on disposal of Foods Connected and Fairfax Meadow.
Revenue from continuing operations was up by 11.9% on a constant currency basis, reflecting the impact of high raw material inflation, most significantly in the UK.
The business said that 2026 trading had been in line with its expectations, and said that it remained on track to achieve 2026 adjusted profit before tax in the range £60 million-£65 million. Hilton Foods said it remained “cautious” on the broader inflationary environment, as well as mindful of potential impacts of the situation in the Middle East on the business.
Hilton Foods has now commenced a search for a new non-executive chair, with Mark Allen to remain in post as executive chair until a new non-executive chair is in place. Allen will then become CEO of the group.
“Despite continued raw material inflation, the strength of our customer relationships and consistent delivery has underpinned our performance.”
Mark Allen, Hilton Food Group
Mark Allen OBE, Hilton Foods executive chairman, said: “Our core retail meat offering is a resilient business. Despite continued raw material inflation, the strength of our customer relationships and consistent delivery has underpinned our performance. Inflation has more materially impacted demand and profitability in Seachill. We continue to address challenges in Foppen and Dalco. Overall, we remain confident in our outlook for 2026.
“Our strategic review outlines a clear plan to focus the business on its core capabilities and strengthens our confidence in delivering sustainable long-term growth. We are executing improvement plans in Seachill, Foppen and Dalco, businesses that have limited synergy with the Group’s core capabilities, to increase strategic optionality.
“Growth will be driven by our core meat and fresh prepared food businesses. This is underpinned by well-invested facilities and long-term partnerships. Our strategic investments in Canada and Saudi Arabia remain on schedule. These are expected to contribute from 2027. Our strong balance sheet provides capacity to invest for growth in a disciplined way. Importantly we remain committed to our progressive dividend policy.
“Since becoming executive chair, I have been impressed by the commitment of our people to deliver for our customers. With a clear strategy, and strengthened leadership structure in place to execute this, I am excited about the company’s future.”
