The meat industry is part of the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector, represented by Improve Sector Skills Council, which also includes the following industries: bakery; animal feed; beer; confectionery; dairy; fish; and soft drinks. The sector as a whole currently employs 460,000 people in more than 11,100 workplaces and 15,800 retail baker, butcher and fishmonger outlets. 24% of the workforce is employed in the bakery industry and 21% in meat industry. At a regional level, 14% of the workforce is located in the North East, 13% in Yorkshire and Humberside, plus 13% in the East Midlands.
The UK meat industry covers: the slaughtering of animals other than poultry and rabbits; animal by‐product processing; fellmongery; production and preserving of poultry meat; bacon and ham production; and other meat and poultry meat processing. The industry employs 88,800, with a further 30,000 working in the retail meat industry. There are many well‐known companies, such as Anglo Beef Processors, Cranswick Food Group and Vion Food Group.
Key facts:
- There are 86,800 people working in the meat industry, of which:
- 62% are employed in the production of meat and poultry meat products
- 20% in the production and preserving of meat
- 18% in the production and preserving of poultry meat
- There are a further 7,000 people working in the retail meat industry.
- It represents 21% of those employed in Great Britain’s food and drink manufacturing sector.
- 10% of businesses employ 200 or more staff, 52% employ 10 or less staff.
- 36% of the current workforce will be eligible for retirement within the next 20 years.
- 9% of the workforce has a degree or equivalent qualification.
- The majority of the workforce has ‘other qualifications’ (32%).
- 22% of the workforce has no qualifications.
- 94% of the workforce is employed full‐time.
Jobs in the industry range from: production manager, quality assurance manager, butcher, boner, packer, butcher apprentice.
National and regional data
East Midlands – The region accounts for 14% of all industry employees and 6% of all industry workplaces. The meat, other food, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
East of England – The region accounts for 3% of all industry employees and 14% of all industry workplaces. The meat, and fruit and vegetable processing industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
London – The region accounts for 7% of all industry employees and 4% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North East – The region accounts for 8% of all industry employees and 3% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
North West – The region accounts for 9% of all industry employees and 11% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South East – The region accounts for 10% of all industry employees and 4% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and other food industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
South West – The region accounts for 11% of all industry employees and 8% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
West Midlands – The region accounts for 12% of all industry employees and 10% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
Yorkshire and the Humber – The region accounts for 13% of all industry employees and 12% of all industry workplaces. The bakery and meat industries dominate regional employment in the sector.
[N.B. The following data are for the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector as a whole.]
Scotland – Around 49,000 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Scotland across 1,500 workplaces. The bakery and drinks industries dominate Scottish employment in the sector.
Northern Ireland – More than 18,900 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Northern Ireland, accounting for 5% of the UK sector workforce. The meat industry dominates regional employment in the sector.
Wales – Around 23,700 people are employed in the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector in Wales across 600 workplaces. The meat and bakery industries dominate Welsh employment in the sector.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008 and Annual Business Inquiry, 2007.]
