Hull-based meat processing giant Cranswick plc said on Monday that trading in its first quarter of the new financial year has been strong, with revenue ahead across all product categories year-on-year.

Cranswick also said it has further strengthened its animal welfare compliance practices and checks.

In May, some UK supermarkets suspended supplies from a Cranswick farm that had been linked to allegations of abuse against pigs.

In an update on trading for the 13 weeks to June 28, 2025, Cranswick said group reported revenue was 9.7% ahead of the same period last year, with Blakemans, acquired in May 2025, making a positive contribution in line with expectations. 

Cranswick said like-for-like revenue was up 7.9% “driven by strong volume growth reflecting new business wins, closer alignment with key strategic retail partners and continued outperformance of premium added-value ranges with consumers’ increasing appetite for natural protein as part of a healthy balanced diet.”

Export revenue was strong, reflecting both volume growth and higher pricing following the reinstatement of the Norfolk fresh pork site’s China export license in December 2024. 

“Poultry revenue grew strongly driven by the onboarding of new premium retail business at the Cooked and Prepared Poultry sites together with strong demand from the Eye fresh poultry site’s anchor retail customer,” said Cranswick.

“Pet Products revenue was well ahead reflecting the successful ongoing roll out of the Pets at Home business.

“We have further strengthened our relationship with Pets at Home with new premium own-label business now secured, supply is due to begin later in the year.”

In its outlook, Cranswick said: “We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth supported by a positive contribution from the newly acquired Blakemans business.  

“Investment continues at pace across our farming operations and primary and added value processing facilities in line with our recently updated medium-term guidance.  

“Looking ahead, the outlook for the current financial year ending 28 March 2026 remains in line with current market expectations.

“The board remains confident that continued focus on the strengths of the company, which include its long-standing customer relationships, breadth and quality of products, robust financial position and industry leading asset base, will support the further successful development of the group during the current year and over the longer term.”

Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “We have made a strong start to the year, delivering volume-led revenue growth across all product categories. We continue to invest at pace across our asset base to drive strong returns.

“In line with the commitments we made on 20 May 2025, we have further strengthened our animal welfare compliance practices and checks.

“The independent expert veterinarian led review of these policies and procedures is well advanced, and we look forward to receiving its recommendations. We will provide a further update on this review in due course.

“Integration of the Blakemans business is progressing well and we have committed to further substantial investment in the Lincoln Pet Products site.  

“Our continued positive progress reflects the substantial ongoing investment in our asset base and the quality and capability of our colleagues across the business.”

• At the Cranswick AGM on Monday, 30.79% of votes were cast against the company’s 2025 Directors’ Remuneration Report. The firm said: “While all Resolutions were passed, most with significant majorities in favour, the Board notes Resolution 2, which concerns the advisory vote on the Company’s 2025 Directors’ Remuneration Report, received less than 80% of votes cast in favour. The Board has actively engaged with shareholders on remuneration in 2025 which has helped build a more detailed understanding of shareholder views and allowed the Board to provide context on the decisions made. While we welcome the backing of the majority of our shareholders following engagement on remuneration, we will continue to engage and an update will be published within six months of today’s Annual General Meeting, in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.”