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Morrisons becomes first UK supermarket to own and operate its own fishing boat
Which means more fresh fish
Morrisons has acquired Falfish making it the first supermarket to have its own fishing boat.
The supermarket has bought the family-owned wholesaler of sustainably sourced seafood based in Cornwall. Falfish has already been supplying fresh fish and shellfish to Morrisons for over 16 years.
Approximately 50% of Falfish’s £40 million turnover is with the long-term business relationship Morrisons.
Mark Greet and all of the 140 Falfish colleagues will join Morrisons as part of the new venture.
A spokesperson said: “For customers, the acquisition will mean further improvements to the range, quality and availability of fresh fish and shellfish at our Market Street counters and represents another significant investment in fresh food and food making when others are retreating from counters.
“Following the deal over 80 per cent of Morrisons fish and shellfish – both in our 497 stores and in our online business – will come from Morrisons wholly-owned seafood operations.”
The firm owns a 30ft trawler, the Jacqui A, making Morissons the first supermarket to own a fishing boat, reports the Yorkshire Post.
Falfish have over 70 partner boats in the south-west and also buy directly from three key south-west fish markets in Newlyn, Plymouth and Brixham.
Andrew Thornber, Morrisons Manufacturing Director 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 c. 9,000 people at 19 sites throughout Britain, providing around 25 per cent of everything that Morrisons sells. The acquisition of Falfish means that over 80 per cent of our fish and shellfish will now come from our own operations.”
Mark Greet, Falfish’s Managing Director, said: “Falfish has been a supplier to Morrisons since 2004 and over the years this has become a very strong partnership.
“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.”
The wild and farmed frozen and fresh seafood include the likes of turbot, sea bass, monkfish, Dover sole and hake and shellfish like lobster, king scallops, crab, cuttlefish and whelks.