The employment in the UK meat processing sector has seen varied trends over recent years. Between 2013 to 2016, the sector experienced fluctuations with significant drops, particularly in 2016 when employment fell by 15.21%. However, since 2017, the sector has generally shown a positive trend, peaking with a 41.29% increase in 2017. The employment numbers reached 99.1 thousand FTE in 2023, marking consistent growth in recent years with minor year-on-year variations, such as 1.48% in 2023. From 2019 to 2023, the sector has seen an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.39%.
Looking ahead, the forecast for the next five years estimates continued growth, with employment numbers reaching 105.9 thousand FTE by 2028. The anticipated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for this period is 1.05%, reflecting steady but moderate increases.
Future trends to watch for:
- Technological advancements in processing and automation which might influence employment numbers.
- Changes in consumer preferences toward plant-based or alternative proteins.
- Regulatory changes, including labor laws and food safety regulations.
- Impact of economic factors such as post-Brexit trade agreements and global supply chain disruptions.
