Receivers are poised to announce the successful bidder for the two Fisher fish factories in the north east of Scotland.
Accountants KPMG have said a formal announcement is likely to be made in the course of the next week. Peterhead-based Macrae Foods has been in close negotiations with the accountants for the factories in Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
The Scottish parliament has assured the company, which employs 800 people at the two sites, that it is doing everything it can to ensure the deal runs smoothly.
Although KPMG is remaining cautious about the bid, they did confirm that 10 other potential buyers had toured the factories before the deadline for inspection.
Fisher Foods seafood division is currently the largest fish processing concern in Scotland.
Macrae Foods, strongly tipped as the most likely purchaser, produces value-added seafood products including smoked salmon, marinated herring, and smoked salmon products. However the firm refused to confirm whether it has both plants in its sights, and has said that a deal is yet to be struck.
Last week Del Monte Fresh Packaged Produce, the UK subsidiary of the US giant, announced it was buying off the chilled foods division of Fisher Foods.