Morrisons is in talks to supply ready-made pies, meat and eggs to rival supermarket chains as the retailer attempts to reverse years of financial pressure and mounting losses.
The Bradford-headquartered supermarket is seeking new commercial partnerships for its Myton food manufacturing arm as part of wider efforts to stabilise the business.
Senior executives have approached major UK grocery rivals about potential supply agreements while also exploring opportunities in the hospitality sector.
The move comes as Morrisons continues to grapple with significant financial challenges following its £10billion takeover by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2021.
The retailer reported losses of £381million for the year ending October 2026.
The figures were heavily impacted by a £281million annual interest bill linked to the company's borrowings.
Morrisons' net debt currently stands at £3.1billion.
Myton is one of Britain's largest food manufacturing businesses and operates 17 production facilities across the UK.
Supermarket in talks to supply rivals as debt pressures mount
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The division produces Morrisons' sweet and savoury pie ranges while also sourcing meat, fish, eggs and flowers for the supermarket chain.
Myton already supplies independent retailers in addition to supporting Morrisons stores.
Representatives from rival supermarket chain Sainsbury's have previously visited Myton production facilities as part of discussions around potential supply arrangements.
In recent weeks, Myton is also understood to have invited employees from competing supermarkets to inspect one of its factories.
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Sources familiar with the matter said early responses to the visits had been positive
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The company has also been staging promotional events aimed at attracting major hospitality customers interested in British-produced goods.
Morrisons has been pursuing a broader cost-cutting strategy as it attempts to manage its debt burden and improve profitability.
The supermarket recently announced plans to close 100 convenience stores across the country.
The retailer has also shut a number of in-store cafés and service counters as part of its restructuring efforts.
Earlier this year, Morrisons closed Myton's bakery operations after the Wakefield site was reported to have suffered "significant losses".
The Telegraph previously reported that Morrisons had explored a potential sale of the Myton division amid ongoing financial pressures.
The company is understood to have received an unsolicited offer for the manufacturing business and held discussions with at least one private equity firm regarding a possible disposal.
Despite speculation over a sale, Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitiéh has insisted manufacturing remains central to the supermarket's long-term strategy.
In January, Mr Baitiéh said food manufacturing was part of the "DNA of Morrisons it's going to stay".
The chief executive has argued that owning production facilities gives Morrisons an advantage over competitors that rely more heavily on external suppliers.
Myton is understood to remain profitable despite wider pressures on the supermarket group.
Industry sources said the division still has spare production capacity which could support additional contracts with external customers.
A Morrisons spokesman said: "Myton is a high-quality food manufacturing business and has always served other customers as well as Morrisons."
They added that the company has been expanding its customer base across retail, food service and manufacturing sectors both in the UK and overseas.