Cranswick has delivered another positive financial report, with revenue 5.5% up year-on-year for the 13 weeks to June 27, driven by strong volume growth of 8.2%.
Like-for-like revenue was 4% higher than the same period last year, with corresponding volumes up 6.4%, as the benefit of lower input prices was passed onto Cranswick’s customers, the company reported.
Cranswick reported revenue just shy of £3bn, with profit before tax of £215.8m, as it delivered further growth in the 2025-26 financial year.
Continued growth in the the first quarter of the current financial year reflected ‘robust demand’ across its core product portfolio, ‘driven by the UK consumers’ growing prioritisation of a healthy, protein rich and nutritionally balanced diet’.
Domestic fresh pork revenue was up year on year, underpinned by double digit retail volume growth, although export revenues were lower, reflecting subdued demand from China and other global markets, with certain products being redirected into the UK wholesale trade.
Poultry revenue grew strongly driven by continued strong retail demand for Fresh Poultry, facilitated by capacity expansion at the Eye site, and further acquisitions. Convenience and Gourmet Products revenues were also up year-on-year, as was pet products revenue.
Investment
Cranswick continued to invest ‘at pace’ across its asset base, including the recently-announced joint venture partnership with the founders and existing management of The Jolly Hog Group, which supplies a premium range of sausage, bacon, cooked meats and other complementary products.
The multi-phased expansion of the flagship Hull pork primary processing site continued, alongside investment to increase in capacity at the Eye fresh poultry facility by 25%.
Financial position
The update said the company remains in a ‘robust financial position’ with committed, unsecured facilities of £360 million providing comfortable headroom.
Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “We have made a positive start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across the business. We continue to support our strategic partners by providing excellent service levels, alongside unrivalled product quality and innovation.
“Our continued compounding growth reflects the increasing competitive advantage of our vertically integrated supply chain and record capital deployment across our asset base to increase capacity, add capability, drive efficiencies and deliver strong returns.”
The company said it ‘remained mindful’ of the potential for disruption arising from conflict in the Middle East and the changing domestic political landscape, but its outlook for the current financial year remains in line with current market expectations.