British meat processor Cranswick plc has announced its annual financial results, posting a record pre-tax profit of £197.9 million ($264.8 million) for the year ended March 29, 2025—exceeding analyst expectations and reaffirming its position as a leading vertically integrated pork producer in the UK.
The company’s share price surged more than 5% following the news, reaching a record high as investors responded positively to the robust results and strategic expansion moves.
Pork Drives Performance Amid Expansion Moves
Cranswick’s growth was fueled by strong demand for pork and poultry, paired with a strategic push into pet foods, where revenue jumped nearly 48%—largely due to a supply agreement with Pets at Home.
Its vertically integrated model has continued to deepen, with the company acquiring UK pig genetics firm JSR Genetics and sausage manufacturer Blakemans over the past year. The moves have strengthened Cranswick’s control over both genetics and processing, enhancing its farm-to-fork approach.
Exports to China Resume After Four-Year Pause
Another major milestone came with the reinstatement of Cranswick’s China export license at its Norfolk primary processing facility in December 2024. This follows a four-year hiatus due to a COVID-19-related suspension. The reinstatement drove a 10.2% increase in fresh pork export revenue, underscoring the value of accessing Asian markets.
Animal Welfare Scrutiny
Despite the upbeat financial news, Cranswick faced pressure earlier this month after suspending pork supplies from its Lincolnshire farm to major UK retailers such as Tesco amid animal welfare concerns. While this drew negative headlines, the company has moved quickly to address the situation and protect its reputation as a responsible pork producer.
Confidence in the Year Ahead
Cranswick also proposed to raise its final dividend by nearly 13% to 76 pence per share, continuing a consistent trend of rewarding shareholders. The company signaled a positive outlook, stating that the start of the new fiscal year has been in line with board expectations.
Analysts from Jefferies praised Cranswick’s execution, noting: “We see few businesses that have the capability, runway, and track record to deploy capital so effectively.”
Swine Web Insight:
Cranswick’s performance is a case study in the power of vertical integration and diversified product streams in pork production. By controlling genetics, processing, and now tapping into pet food, they’ve built resilience—and a template worth watching for North American producers eyeing export markets and value-added opportunities.
