The number of researchers in the UK’s food products, beverages, and tobacco manufacturing sector is predicted to decrease from 1.4 thousand FTEs in 2024 to 1.35 thousand FTEs in 2028. This represents a slight year-on-year decline averaging around 0.36% annually.

Future trends to watch for:

Potential technological advancements leading to changes in research needs.
Impact of economic and regulatory changes on research funding and employment.
Increasing focus on sustainability and health innovations possibly revitalizing research roles.