The stock price of Hull-based meat processing giant Cranswick plc rose about 6% to an all-time high of around £56 a share on Tuesday after it published record results for the 52 weeks ended March 28, 2026.

Cranswick said revenue rose 9.5% to £2.98 billion, profit before tax increased 18.8% to £215.8 million, and full-year dividend climbed 11.4% to 112.5p per share.

Dividends paid during the year totalled £55.1 million.

The stock market value of the Hull FTSE 250 company has now reached about £3 billion.

Cranswick said a record £163 million was invested across the business during the year, bringing the total invested to more than £560 million over the past five years.

The Hull firm said the acquisitions of Blakemans and JSR Genetics “continue to perform ahead of initial expectations.”

It said UK food revenue grew 9.4% “underpinned by strong volume growth of 8.3% and record Christmas trading.”

Poultry revenue was up 13.9% and now represents 20.3% of reported group revenue. Gourmet Products revenue increased 15.3% with a strong contribution from Blakemans.

Pet Products revenue was up 29.8% “reflecting expansion of the Pets at Home relationship.”

Cranswick added: “Net cash inflow from operating activities was £275.0 million (2025: £216.3 million). The increase of £58.7 million principally reflected the £43.2 million increase in EBITDA and a £18.3 million reduction in net working capital outflow, partly offset by a £5.8 million increase in tax paid.  

“Net debt, including IFRS 16 lease liabilities, increased to £240.8 million (2025: £172.4 million).

“The strong operating cash inflow was more than offset by £161.9 million of net capital investment, £55.1 million of dividends paid to Shareholders, £22.1 million of own shares purchased and transferred into the Cranswick Employee Benefit Trust, £26.5 million of IFRS 16 lease payments and £47.3 million of tax paid.  

“Cash spent on acquisitions contributed a further £32.9 million increase in net debt during the year.”

Cranswick CEO Adam Couch said: “Cranswick has delivered another year of strong strategic and financial progress, reflecting our proven business model and the disciplined execution of our long-term priorities.

“We have continued to invest with conviction across our industry-leading asset base, farming operations and in complementary acquisitions, strengthening capability, expanding capacity and creating further headroom for sustainable growth.

“Our performance reflects the enduring strength of our customer relationships, the quality and scale of our asset base and the increasing competitive advantage of our vertically integrated supply chain. Across our core categories, demand for our products remains strong, supported by close alignment with our strategic retail partners and a consistent focus on quality, service and innovation …

“Trading in the early part of the current financial year has been in line with the Board’s expectations. At the same time, the conflict in the Middle East remains an evolving situation and we continue to monitor potential implications for our supply chains. We remain mindful of the potential for disruption arising from prevailing economic and geopolitical conditions.

“Looking ahead, the strengths of the business, which include its diverse and longstanding customer base, breadth and quality of products and channels, robust financial position and industry leading infrastructure will support the further development of Cranswick in the current financial year and over the longer-term.”