A leading European petfood supplier is set to ramp up its UK business after securing a contract to supply Tesco.

Budapest-based Partner in Pet Food (PPF) won a contract to supply the retailer with own-label dry and wet foods for dogs and cats. PPF has supplied petfood to Tesco’s central and eastern European operation for around 10 years, and also to wholesaler Booker in the UK.

PPF CEO Attila Balogh this week told The Grocer he was now looking to explore future opportunities for the business in the UK, initially for own label but potentially for its branded products, which include premium catfood Prevital and dogfood SoftMix.

“Our agreement to supply Tesco in the UK has built on our long-standing relationship with them in Continental Europe,” he added.

Balogh was speaking as PPF announced full-year results for 2013 showing a 6% rise in annual sales to €225m, with 35% of its sales coming from products new to market. l Mars Petcare this week launched Whiskas Healthy Joints snacks (rsp: £1.38), containing a blend of active ingredients designed to help support cats’ joints.