Cranswick has had a bumper year, with revenue growing 9.5% to £2.98 billion and like-for-like growth of 6.8% in the 52 weeks ended 28 March 2026. Profit grew faster at 14.5%, now standing at £237 million.
The UK food company also saw margins rise to 7.9% (up 35bps) and earnings per share step up by more than 10%, reflecting the strength of its operations and investment strategy.
Poultry now represents 20.3% of group sales following revenue growth of 13.9%. Gourmet products also saw a positive lift at +15.3%, bolstered by Cranswick’s acquisition of Blakemans.
Pet food witnessed the steepest climb at +29.8% as the manufacturer continued to develop its relationship with Pets at Home following capacity expansion at its Lincoln site.
Its Mediterranean range also performed “exceptionally well”, supported by a record Christmas trading period and continued growth of the Ramona’s hummus brand.
Over the last five years, Cranswick has invested more than £560 million across its asset base. Across the year, a record £163 million was injected into the business – going towards expanded facilities, new production lines and additional throughput.
Of this, spent £54 million was spent on major strategic capital projects, including its expansions of its cooked and breaded poultry facilities in Hull, which has now completed.
These funds have also been pumped into the expansion of its Hull pork primary processing facilities, with a new highly automated cold store now being commissioned and capacity set to lift by 40% following the FY end March 2027. Expansion of the Lincoln pet food site will also add capacity and capability in premium higher meat inclusion ranges.
£13 million has been pumped into its site at Eye with automation looking to increase processing capacity by 15% (about 1.6 million birds per week). Cranswick is committing a further £56 million of investment to grow total capacity at the facility by a further 25% through the addition of a second line.
These investments look to support the ongoing growth of its fresh and added-value poultry business. In the longer term, the company is also looking at multiple potential sites for another poultry processing plant.
Acquisitions have been a core part of Cranswick’s strategy, with the business snapping up both Blakemans and JSR Genetics.
Blakemans has helped strengthen the group’s position in the food service sausage market and broadens its added-value offering; while JSR Genetics further enhances its vertically integrated agricultural model, supporting supply chain resilience, productivity and quality across its pork operations.
The business also bought the Fridaythorpe feed mill, upping its self-sufficiency in pig feed. It has continued to increase its own pig production with finished pig numbers rising 6.5% year-on-year and self-sufficiency now 55%.
Commenting on the preliminary results, Adam Couch, CEO, said the strong performance reflects the “enduring strength” of its customer relationships, the quality and scale of its asset base, and the “increasing competitive advantage” of its vertically integrated supply chain.
He continued: “As we enter the new financial year, I am encouraged by the continued development of the business and the robust demand for our product ranges. The range of growth opportunities available to the Group continues to expand and we remain well positioned to deliver on our strategy.
“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.”
