Industry Data
The Food and Drink Manufacturing Industry
You may be surprised to hear that the food and drink sector is the UK's biggest
manufacturing industry, offering world class capabilities in areas of
production, logistics, sales, marketing and innovation.
Here are some other facts about the food and drink manufacturing industry:
- It directly employs up to 400,000 people, which represents just under 15%
of
the overall manufacturing workforce in the UK.
- The sector generates £76.2bn of turnover, with a gross value added of
£20.9bn.[1]
- The industry represents 16% of the UK's manufacturing sector and buys two thirds
of all the UK's agricultural produce.
- It is highly innovative – Our sector invests over £1bn in to R&D[2] each year,
1,800 products to be launched in 2011 [3].
- It is a vital export sector – exporting nearly £11bn of food and
non-alcoholic
drink products a year, 77% of which go the EU.
More Information
Notes
1. Information taken from latest ONS Annual Business Survey, food and
non-alcoholic drink only.
2. BIS R&D Scoreboard 2010
3. Mintel GNPD
Last reviewed: 04 Jan 2012