The Hilton Food Group has reached an agreement to sell Dalco Food to Livekindly Production for £5.4 million.
Dalco will join Livekindly’s line-up of plant-based brands such as Fry’s, Oumph!, and LIKE.
The disposal of the vegan and veggie business follows a difficult year for Dalco under Hilton Foods. The group’s latest annual results referenced a persistently challenging market for the vegan and vegetarian business, which saw an adjusted operating loss of £2 million for the first half of 2026.
The group cited equally tricky conditions for its UK seafood business Seachill, and smoked salmon business, Foppen, too.
The sale of Dalco tracks with the group’s strategy to double down on its meat and fresh prepared food businesses, which have been driving Hilton’s overall “stable” demand.
This plan included two new chief operating officers, roles created to focus on these two business divisions at its newly formed West and East regions. These responsibilities were assigned to Samy Zekhout and Melaine Chambers, who now oversee West and East respectively.
While the group’s focus is on its core businesses, it adds it will be looking to improve performance and maximise value from its seafood, vegan and vegetarian businesses as it moves forward.
The sale of Dalco is subject to standard approvals and deliverables, including consultation with the local works council.
Dalco is expected to be treated as an asset held for sale in the Group’s 2026 Interim Results, due to be announced on 3 September 2026.
