Volumes from continuing operations were up 2.1%, with good overall performance from core meat businesses and further growth in fresh prepared food in Central Europe.

Adjusted profit before tax from continuing operations was £32.8 million, down 8.9% on a constant currency basis and down -5.2% on the year.

The business reported higher adjusted profit before tax overall from its core meat and fresh prepared food businesses, but saw lower seafood adjusted profit before tax, which it said predominantly reflected margin pressures in its Foppen business.

Revenue from continuing operations was up 11.5% on a constant currency basis, reflecting higher average raw material prices. Net bank debt was reduced from £202.4 million in 2025 to £194.4 million, a decline of -4%.

Mark Allen OBE, Hilton Foods chief executive, commented: “This has been a period of encouraging progress across the Group. Having set out the conclusions of our strategic review earlier this year, we continue to innovate and deliver for our customers. We delivered good overall trading performance in meat and fresh prepared food, and we continue to drive opportunities to maximise performance and growth from our core operations. While performance in Foppen has been disappointing, we are beginning to see the positive impact of our improvement plans at Seachill in the UK. The agreed sale of Dalco is a step towards simplifying our portfolio.

“Our growth investments in Saudi Arabia and Canada are expected to contribute to earnings from 2027. We also continue to develop plans to deliver material capacity expansion for fresh prepared food in Poland.

“Our first half progress gives us confidence in our 2026 profit outlook. Longer-term, it is the commitment of colleagues, the strength of our customer relationships and leadership in red meat which will continue to underpin our medium-term growth objectives.”