Cranswick has recorded strong third quarter trading, driven by record Christmas sales, boosting its profit outlook for the current financial year.
In an update for the 13 weeks to December 27, 2025, the Hull-based company says strong revenue growth in the quarter, including the key Christmas period, reflected a continuation in the positive trading momentum delivered in the first half of the year with all product categories ahead of the corresponding prior year period.
As a result, it now expects full year adjusted profit before tax to be towards the upper end of current market expectations. Market expectations for adjusted profit before tax for the full financial year, ending March 28, 2026, range from £211.3m to £216m, with a mean of £213.4m. This compares with a profit before tax of £181.6m from revenue of £2.7bn for the 2024/25 financial year.
December growth
Cranswick’s December sales were ahead of the ‘strong’ same period in 2024 due to record Christmas trading across its fresh pork, convenience and gourmet festive product ranges. Premium added-value ranges performed particularly well, including showcase centre of plate products and festive grazing platters.
“We delivered excellent service levels and innovative new product launches for our key strategic retail partners, enabling this strong Christmas performance,” the company said.
The recent acquisitions of Blakemans, JSR Genetics and Fridaythorpe feed mill have ‘continued to drive positive momentum with performance better than initial expectations’.
Poultry revenue was significantly up year on year, driven by stronger fresh poultry pricing, reflecting the move to enhanced welfare lower stocking densities, and the addition of premium retail business at its added-value cooked and prepared poultry sites. Pet Products revenue also grew strongly.
The statement stressed that demand for its premium pork and poultry categories ‘remains robust, reflecting the UK consumers’ desire for high quality, healthy, nutritious food which is both versatile and great value’.
The company has continued its ‘substantial ongoing capital investment programme’ in order to ‘provide the platform for further growth and generate strong returns’. It expects capital expenditure for the full year to be in the region of £160m to £170m, lower than its previous guidance due to the timing of spend on major projects.
Strong quarter
Adam Couch, CEO of Cranswick, said: “We have delivered another strong quarter of growth underpinned by revenue growth across all product categories and a record Christmas trading period.
This excellent performance is the result of our unrelenting focus on delivering outstanding service levels, sector leading innovation and unrivalled product quality across our festive product range for our customers.
“I would like to thank all of our colleagues for their ongoing support and commitment. The unrivalled capability of our people across the business is key to our continued successful progress and development.”