Hilton Foods to sell Dutch vegan business for US$7.3 million
The disposal follows losses at Dalco as Hilton Foods refocuses investment on its core meat and fresh prepared food operations.
NETHERLANDS – Hilton Food Group has agreed to sell its Dutch vegan and vegetarian business Dalco Food to UK-based plant-based food producer Livekindly Production for US$7.2 million.
The transaction remains subject to customary approvals and other closing requirements, including consultation with Dalco’s local works council.
Livekindly’s portfolio includes plant-based brands such as Fry Family Food Co., The No Meat Company, Like and Oumph, giving the buyer an established range of products alongside Dalco’s manufacturing operations.
Based in Oosterhout in the Netherlands, Dalco employs about 160 people and produces meat alternatives including burgers, nuggets and meatballs, as well as other plant-based products.
Hilton Foods said the sale forms part of its strategy to direct investment towards its core meat and fresh prepared food operations while working to improve returns from its seafood and remaining vegan and vegetarian businesses.
Dalco will be classified as an asset held for sale in Hilton Foods’ 2026 interim results after the business recorded an adjusted operating loss of US$2.7 million in the first half of the year.
That loss is expected to be reported under discontinued operations once the disposal is completed.
Focus shifts to core food businesses
Hilton Foods processes and packages beef, pork, lamb, poultry and seafood for retailers and also supplies ready meals, barbecue products and plant-based alternatives, much of which is sold under supermarket private-label brands.
The group operates more than 24 production facilities internationally and handles more than 517,000 tonnes of food products each year across fresh meat, seafood and convenience food categories.
Its financial performance has also been affected by higher food prices, with currency-adjusted revenue increasing 11.9% in 2025 to US$5.61 billion.
However, adjusted pre-tax profit fell 2.8% to US$97.5 million, as higher raw material costs and weaker seafood demand put pressure on earnings.
Hilton Foods said challenges at its Seachill seafood division and Foppen smoked salmon business contributed to the weaker result, while the group’s operating margin narrowed to 2.3% from 2.6%.
Net bank debt stood at US$168.8 million at the end of the latest reporting period, with borrowing expected to increase as the company continues to fund expansion projects.
The group has maintained its outlook for the year but warned that inflation and geopolitical uncertainty could continue to affect food supply chains and consumer demand.
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