Food and drink industry by micro, and SME’s
There were approximately 6,700 micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and drink sector with turnover of around £18 billion and 120,000 employees in 2017. In the food sector (excluding beverages) SMEs accounted for 97% of businesses, 28% of employment and 19% of turnover.
Around a third of the SMEs are manufacturers of bakery products. In terms of Gross Value Added (GVA), the ‘other food products’ category (SIC code 0108) was the largest manufacturing category with a value of £5.8 billion in 2016; contributing 20% to the total food and drink manufacturing GVA. This includes items such as prepared meals, confectionery, condiments and seasonings. Bakery and farinaceous products (SIC code 0107) had a GVA of £3.9 billion in 2016 contributing 13% to the total food and drink manufacturing GVA.
Source: Annual Business Survey (ONS) & Business Population Estimates (BEIS).