Hull-based meat processing giant Cranswick plc said sales and profit rose in the first half of the year, driven by its core pork business and growing poultry operation, and it held its outlook for the full year in expectation of a strong Christmas period. 

It said revenue for the 26 weeks to 28 September was £1.329 billion, up 6.1% on the same period a year ago, while adjusted profit before tax was £95.8 million, up 17.4% from last year. 

Adam Couch, Cranswick’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We continue to grow our poultry business and we have now committed to spending almost £50m across our vertically integrated poultry operations. We will invest £20m to increase volumes processed through our fresh poultry operations in East Anglia, alongside the substantial ongoing investment at our two added-value facilities in Hull.”

 “Investment in our agricultural operations continues at pace with a further acquisition completed during the period alongside ongoing organic expansion. We now have the largest pig farming business in the UK which is producing over 34,000 finished pigs per week with self-sufficiency maintained at well over 50%.”

 “We remain on track to deliver further progress in the second half of the year. Our Christmas order book is strong and demand for our innovative products remains high as the UK consumer continues to appreciate the quality, value and versatility of our core pork and poultry ranges.”

 Looking forward, Cranswick said demand for our product range remains high, driven by growth in premium and added-value products. It said its outlook for the full year was in line with current market expectations of adjusted profit before tax between £189 million and £193 million.