A key logistics firm that distributes chilled produce to major UK supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi, has fallen victim to a ransomware cyber attack. Peter Green Chilled, a smaller player in the food distribution sector, has stated it is currently being held to ransom by the hackers.
The company informed BBC’s Wake Up to Money programme that clients are being kept “regularly updated” and “workarounds” are being implemented to ensure deliveries continue. However, one affected customer, Black Farmer founder Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, expressed concern that thousands of pounds worth of his meat products could go to waste if not delivered in time.
The cyber attack, a type of ransomware where hackers encrypt data and demand payment for its release, occurred on Wednesday evening. An email from Peter Green Chilled, seen by the BBC, indicated that no new orders would be processed on Thursday, though those prepared on Wednesday would still be dispatched.
Managing Director Tom Binks confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, stating that the company’s “transport activities… have continued unaffected throughout this incident.”
This incident follows recent, larger cyber attacks on Marks & Spencer and Co-op, but it highlights the growing vulnerability of smaller logistics firms, according to an industry source. Phil Pluck, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, noted a “huge increase” in cyber and ransomware attacks on the warehousing, food storage, and distribution sectors over the past year. He emphasised the critical role of the cold chain, which handles approximately half of the UK’s food, making it an attractive target for hackers seeking leverage.
Mr Pluck added that such attacks are “hugely underreported” due to companies’ reluctance to disclose them, as they lose control not only of their systems but also the subsequent handling by police and insurers. Sian John, CTO at NCC Group, a tech security firm, identified the supply chain as a “weak spot” for the retail sector, with threats extending beyond major brands to the interconnected links within the network.
