Markwell Foods started as a family owned fishery and processing company, Markwell Pacific, in Tweed Heads, northern NSW. It serviced the Australian and International markets with fresh seafood and value-added seafood products in Foodservice solutions. Brand portfolio included: Markwell & Blue Seas.

Markwell Pacific was acquired by the Competitive Foods Group of companies (CFAL), which is best known for its Hungry Jacks and KFC (only WA & NT) brands. Markwell Pacific Marketing Pty Ltd, traded as Markwell Foods, specialised in both value-added and non value-added frozen seafood as well as frozen value-added meat solutions.

Markwell Foods brand portfolio grew with the addition of Markwell Kitchen and later Butlers Big Country.

Shore Mariner NZ, a highly respected NZ Frozen Seafood company was acquired by the CFAL group. The Markwell Foods brand portfolio grew with the addition of Shore Mariner and Seabreeze.

The Markwell Foods brand portfolio grew with the acquisition of Galpak in late 2007, a renowned premium Barramundi producer.

Markwell Foods acquired Seabest International, a major frozen seafood supplier in the Australian retail marketplace. The Markwell Foods brand portfolio grew with the addition of Seagold retail brands.

In the same year, Markwell Foods obtained the brand licence in Australia and New Zealand for European super frozen food brand Findus.

Markwell Foods acquired leading prawn processing BCR International. Products are sold under the Markwell brand.

Markwell Foods obtained distributor exclusivity in Australia and New Zealand for ConAgra brand, Lamb Weston.