Pork and poultry processor Cranswick has published a report analysing its economic contribution, setting out its impact on jobs, growth and health.
The business, which was created in East Yorkshire in 1975, works with more than 900 British farmers. Cranswick said it continues to invest for growth, with around 50% of operating earnings (EBITDA) reinvested into infrastructure and growth projects, and plans to create a further 2,000 new jobs by 2030.
Cranswick’s report, ‘Where Great Food Comes From’, sets out how the business now supports a total of 49,900 jobs in the UK, while also contributing £3.3 billion GDP to the UK economy and generating £850 million in UK tax contributions last year. Its impact was greatest outside London, according to the report, where more than 47,000 of those jobs are based. Last year, Cranswick supported £1 billion of GDP in Yorkshire and the Humber alone.
“One of the great strengths of the UK food system is the strong supply of food produced right here in the UK.”
Adam Couch, Cranswick
Introducing the report, Cranswick CEO Adam Couch commented: “Cranswick was formed in 1975, founded on the entrepreneurial spirit of a group of farmers. We are proud to have become a cornerstone of Britain’s food industry. In the past year we have contributed over £3.3 billion to the UK economy – backing over 49,000 jobs across the UK. People talk about creating growth in every postcode: Cranswick creates growth in postcodes many businesses never reach – supporting 47,000 jobs outside London and backing over £1 billion of GDP in Yorkshire alone.
“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 here in the UK. We have produced this report to show the role Cranswick plays in this food system, and to contribute to a national discussion about the future of food.”
The report comes as UK food security remains in the spotlight, with Britain currently importing over a third of the food it consumes each year, including half of the pork consumed. Last year, the UK imported more than twice as much chicken by value as it did in 2020 – including from Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Brazil and Thailand. Cranswick produces 32% of British pork, of which 96% is produced for UK consumers.
Writing in the report, Sarah Bradbury, chief executive officer of the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD), warned of a potential decline in production capability in key sectors of UK food and farming: “UK chicken meat production has been an important growth story in domestic agriculture… But this success is now at risk… That is why we have set out a series of urgent actions for Government… We also need to fast track the approval process for new poultry sheds”.
The report also sets out the health benefits associated with pork and chicken. According to analysis carried out by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), buying fresh meat significantly increases purchases of fruit and vegetables, with shopping baskets that contain red meat or chicken almost twice as likely to contain fruit or vegetables. Cranswick said it had built on these findings by modelling different ways of creating a balanced meal, with a protein rich plate delivering the greatest nutrient and calorie density.
