Cranswick plc, one of the UK’s leading food producers, has published a comprehensive economic impact report outlining its wider contribution to the UK economy, employment, national food security, and environmental sustainability.
The report, titled ‘Where Great Food Comes From’, draws on extensive research and analysis conducted by Oxford Economics. The study sets out the company’s multi-faceted footprint through to the end of the 2025–26 financial year:
- £3.3 Billion Economic Contribution: Generated £3.3 billion in direct and indirect GDP value across the UK, including over £1 billion in Yorkshire and the Humber alone.
- Substantial Job Creation: Directly employs over 16,500 people and supports an additional 47,600 jobs outside London—including 17,650 across Yorkshire and the Humber and 9,000 across the East of England.
- Tax Generation for Public Services: Generated £850 million in total UK tax contributions over the period—equivalent to funding a major new hospital annually.
- Investing in the Next Generation: Employs over 1,250 young professionals under the age of 25, including more than 300 active apprentices.
- Capital Reinvestment Commitment: Reinvests 50% of its annual EBITDA back into the UK, having injected over £570 million into domestic operational facilities over the past five years.
Driving British Agriculture and Strengthening Food Security
Founded in East Yorkshire in 1975, the Hull-based group continues to serve as an essential anchor for British agriculture, spending more than £500 million annually across a network of over 900 British farmers.
Cranswick currently produces approximately 20% of British pigs and processes more than 32% of British pork, while producing over 7% of the UK’s poultry. To support its livestock operations, the business purchases 11,500 tonnes of British grain every week.
With Britain currently importing more than a third of its total food consumption—including half of its pork—the report underlines Cranswick’s critical role in national food security. 96% of all British pork produced by Cranswick is delivered directly to UK consumers.
Nutritional Value and Environmental Standards
The report also examines the health and welfare standards associated with domestic protein production, citing analysis from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). The data reveals that consumer shopping baskets containing red meat or poultry are almost twice as likely to also contain fresh fruit and vegetables.
“A protein-rich plate, with the largest portion of lean meat, delivered the greatest nutrient and calorie density while providing double the protein of the Eatwell Guide and still providing around a third of the recommended fibre intake,” the report states.
Executive Commentary
Adam Couch, Chief Executive Officer of Cranswick plc, commented: “Today, our products are available in most major supermarkets, helping consumers access high-quality British food that is traceable, nutritious, responsibly produced, and affordable. One of the great strengths of the UK food system is the strong supply of food produced right here in the UK. This matters for many reasons, and one of the biggest is the lower environmental impact of sourcing meat locally in the UK. We have produced this report to show the role Cranswick plays in this food system, and to contribute constructively to a national discussion about the future of food.”
