Hull-based meat processing giant Cranswick plc said its revenue rose 10.4% to £1.468 billion in the 26 weeks to September 27, 2025, and profit before tax increased 21.1% to £109.2 million, amid strong demand for the firm’s premium pork and poultry products.
Interim dividend will increased 8% to 27p per share.
In its outlook, Cranswick said: “We have delivered a very positive first half with record investment across our asset base, accretive acquisitions and double-digit, volume-led revenue growth driving strong earnings growth.
“We are accelerating the pace at which we invest to capture efficiency gains through process automation and building supply chain resilience. Strong demand for our premium pork and poultry categories reflects the UK consumers’ desire for high quality, healthy, nutritious food which is both versatile and great value.
“The positive trading momentum generated during the first half of the year has continued into the third quarter as we build towards our peak Christmas trading period. Notwithstanding this positive progress, we remain mindful of current market and wider economic and geopolitical conditions and so our outlook for the current financial year ending 28 March 2026 remains in line with the Board’s expectations.
“The Board is encouraged by the continued strategic progress of the business and is confident that focus on the strengths of the Company, which include its long-standing customer relationships, breadth and quality of products, industry leading asset infrastructure and robust financial position, will support the further successful development of the Group both in the current financial year and over the longer term.”
Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “Our positive start to the year continued through the second quarter, with strong volume-led revenue growth across all product categories driven by new business wins, a positive contribution from recent acquisitions, strengthened alignment to our key, long-standing retail partners and our unrelenting focus on quality, service and innovation across our premium added-value product ranges.
“Demand for our core pork and poultry categories remains robust, underpinned by their relative affordability and consumer preference for natural protein as part of a healthy, balanced diet. We are well placed to maintain the positive momentum generated during the period into the second half of the financial year as we build towards our peak Christmas trading period.
“We invested £89m in our industry-leading asset base during the period to provide the platform for further growth and to generate strong returns. This investment will expand capacity, drive automation and enhance operating efficiencies, allowing us to strengthen our capability to deliver premium, added-value products for our customers.
“We continue to invest at pace across our pig and poultry farming operations with £25m spent in the period to increase security of supply and transition to lower poultry stocking densities. The addition of the Fridaythorpe feed mill brings greater self-sufficiency in pig feed production for our northern pig farms, and we are delighted to welcome the full Fridaythorpe team to Cranswick.”