Morrisons snaps up Cornish seafood supplier for undisclosed sum

Morrisons has snapped up Falfish, a family-owned seafood wholesaler that has worked with the grocer for 16 years and until now supplied the range for approximately half of its £40m annual seafood sales.

The deal will see 80% of Morrisons’ fish and shellfish sold across its 497 stores and online come from its wholly owned operations.

Falfish co-owner and managing director Mark Greet will join Morrisons alongside Falfish’s 140 existing employees. 

The deal will also see Morrisons acquire a 30ft trawler, the Jacqui A, which Morrisons says will make it the first British supermarket to own a fishing boat. 

Morrisons manufacturing director Andrew Thornber said: “Falfish is a great fit with Morrisons; not only is it a great British company supplying high quality fish and shellfish, but they also share our passion for sustainability and for local sourcing.

“Bringing Falfish into Morrisons further strengthens our position as Britain’s biggest foodmaker. Our manufacturing operations employ circa 9,000 people at 19 sites throughout Britain, providing around 25% of everything that Morrisons sells.

“The acquisition of Falfish means that over 80% of our fish and shellfish will now come from our own operations.”

Greet, who is the son of the business’ founder Ian Greet, said: “For my father Ian and our family, as part of the Cornish community, this acquisition ensures the continuing ethos of Falfish in upholding our relationships and values, and strengthens this for our colleagues, for the South West fishing fleet, and for all of our customers and stakeholders.

“The acquisition is great news for Falfish’s Cornish operations and the wider community, bringing investment and access to many new opportunities.”