Sales of poultry increased 8.6% at Cranswick in the year to 28 March, as the business completed the commissioning of its new £78 million poultry processing plant in Suffolk.
Annual results published in June show poultry now accounts for 13% of group revenue.
Total revenue for the year of £1.7 billion represented an increase of 16% on the previous year. Adjusted profit before tax was £102.3 million, an increase of 11.2%.
Commissioning of the new poultry facility in Eye, Suffolk, started in November and was completed prior to the year end. The business closed its old Weybread facility, with the customer base being realigned prior to transfer of production to Eye.
Following the rapid commissioning period in the third quarter and subsequent ramp-up phase in the fourth quarter, the Eye site is now processing 1.1 million birds per week.
Adam Couch, Cranswick’s chief executive said COVID-19 had had a significant effect, and that three members of staff at Cranswick had died of the disease. He said all staff at Cranswick processing sites are being paid a £500 bonus “to recognise the outstanding contribution of our people”.
