Cranswick lifts full year profit outlook after record Christmas period

Tue, 27th Jan 2026 09:36

(Alliance News) - Cranswick PLC on Tuesday said it expects full-year adjusted pretax profit to be towards the upper end of market expectations after "record" Christmas trading.

The Hull-based food producer reported continued positive momentum in the third quarter, the 13 weeks to December 27, with sales in all product categories ahead of last year.

Cranwick noted record Christmas demand across Fresh Pork, Convenience and Gourmet festive product ranges. It said premium added-value ranges performed "particularly well" including centre of plate products and festive grazing platters.

For the financial year to March 28, the food producer now expects adjusted pretax profit to be at the upper end of the GBP211.3 million to GBP216.0 million market consensus range.

It reported adjusted pretax profit of GBP197.9 million in financial 2025.

Recent acquisitions – Blakemans, JSR Genetics and the Fridaythorpe feed mill – outperformed initial expectations, Cranswick said.

Poultry revenue was "significantly ahead" of last year, helped by higher fresh poultry prices, while Pet Products grew through its expanded partnership with Pets at Home Group PLC.

Cranswick now expects financial 2026 capital expenditure of GBP160 million to GBP170 million, below prior guidance. Net debt increased in the quarter but the group said it remained with GBP360 million of committed facilities.

Chief Executive Officer Adam Couch said: "We have delivered another strong quarter of growth underpinned by revenue growth across all product categories and a record Christmas trading period.

"This excellent performance is the result of our unrelenting focus on delivering outstanding service levels, sector leading innovation and unrivalled product quality across our festive product range for our customers."

Shares in Cranswick were up 1.0% at 5,200.00 pence on Tuesday morning in London.

By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter

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