Myton Food Group Unveils UK’s Largest Seafood Freezing Centre
In a significant leap for the British fishing and food manufacturing industry, Myton Food Group, a key supplier for Morrisons, has inaugurated the Falfish Freezing Centre – the largest and most advanced facility of its kind in the United Kingdom.
Located on the south Cornish coast, this cutting-edge £12.8 million development promises to revolutionise seafood processing, with the capacity to individually quick freeze up to 180 tonnes of sardines and other varieties of fish per day.
This groundbreaking facility, situated at the heart of Myton’s Cornish-based Falfish business, houses the UK’s most advanced seafood freezing line. The freezing tunnel at the centre of operations is capable of freezing 112,000 fish per hour – the equivalent of filling nine arctic truckloads daily.
The project, initiated in 2021 after Morrisons acquired Falfish following a 16-year partnership, represents the largest single investment in Cornish shoresides in decades. It was made possible with substantial support, including £3.8 million in funding from the UK Seafood Infrastructure Fund, provided by DEFRA.
Morrisons, a major player in the UK food retail sector, prepares and manufactures more than half of all the fresh food sold in its stores. This new freezing centre allows fish to be frozen and packed within just one hour, significantly enhancing the freshness and quality of the seafood available to customers.
What’s more, with this rapid processing capability, Morrisons aims to offer a broader range of high-quality, sustainably sourced fish and shellfish at its stores and Market Street counters across the country.
Beyond its impressive production capacity, the Falfish Freezing Centre embodies Myton Food Group’s and Morrisons’ deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The facility features an innovative hot gas defrost system, which enhances energy efficiency, and uses a green refrigerant with zero global warming potential, ensuring that the centre is both economical to run and environmentally friendly. This aligns with Morrisons’ ambitious goal of achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2035.
The Managing Director of Myton Food Group underscored the importance of this new facility, revealing that over 80 percent of the fish and shellfish sold in Morrisons stores is sourced from their seafood operations in Cornwall, where they purchase directly from local fishermen.
By establishing the UK’s largest fish freezing centre, Myton not only strengthens its position as one of Britain’s leading foodmakers but also significantly expands its seafood export business, enhancing the UK’s presence in global markets.
Reflecting on the journey since the acquisition of Falfish in 2021, the Managing Director expressed excitement about the positive impact of this innovative project on the local industry and community. The centre is seen as a vital step in ensuring a sustainable future for Cornwall’s fishing industry while delivering the freshest possible seafood to Morrisons’ customers.
Falfish, now a vital part of the Myton Food Group, operates from three strategic sites in Redruth and Falmouth docks, employing 150 skilled fish specialists. The business handles a diverse range of 80 different species of fish, landed daily from 50 partner vessels in the Southwest, as well as sourced from UK Fish Auctions and third-party suppliers across the UK and the globe.
Impressively, this extensive network ensures a steady supply of fresh seafood, underscoring Falfish’s pivotal role in the UK’s seafood supply chain.
To conclude, the opening of the Falfish Freezing Centre marks a pivotal moment for the UK seafood industry. It combines cutting-edge technology, a commitment to sustainability, and substantial local investment, setting a new standard for seafood processing in the UK.
As Myton Food Group continues to expand its operations, this facility stands as a testament to the company’s dedication to providing top-quality seafood to consumers while supporting the long-term viability and prosperity of Cornwall’s fishing communities.
News Credits: Morrisons opens UK’s largest fish freezing centre
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