The British poultry industry makes a £3.3bn gross value added contribution to UK GDP and supports 73,200 jobs, a new analysis by Oxford Economics has revealed. For every £1 billion it contributes in gross value added, the industry generates a further £1.3 billion to the rest of the UK economy. In total, the industry supports £1bn in total tax payable to the Exchequer.
‘Economic Impact Assessment: the British Poultry Industry 2013’ is the first analysis of its kind to be undertaken in the UK and fully charts the economic contribution of the British poultry meat industry to UK PLC. The report was commissioned by the British Poultry Council, the trade body for the British poultry meat industry, and will be conducted annually to act as a benchmark for the industry and the economy as a whole.
According to the analysis, British consumers buy more poultry than any other meat. By weight, poultry makes up around half of all meat purchased in the UK. Poultry also offers a cost-effective source of protein – since 2008, with an increase of just 23%, poultry prices have risen much more slowly than beef (51%) and lamb (54%) prices and more slowly than food prices in general (29%). The average household spent £2 per week on fresh, chilled or frozen poultry in 2010.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Farming, Food and Marine Environment George Eustice MP, said: “The poultry meat industry is very important to Britain. Poultry is an affordable and tasty source of protein enjoyed by families across the country. It is more popular than beef, lamb and fish combined, and has become increasingly popular in recent times.
“But the poultry meat industry is important not just because of the food it provides to our nation. As detailed throughout this report, the industry is a significant contributor to UK growth and skills.”
Andrew Large, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said: “The poultry industry’s first Economic Impact Assessment makes clear its importance to UK PLC. Members of the British Poultry Council produce the UK’s favourite meat, with millions of families consuming their wholesome and nutritious produce on a daily basis. We are confident that consumer demand will remain strong and endeavour to continue to supply healthy and high quality food, at an affordable price.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
