Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
There are a number of conflicting trends characterising the poultry industry: changes in consumption, changes in underlying demand and the ability to meet that demand. Processors have created a very strong role for themselves in the industry, diversifying their product range to the point that it has grown outside of what UK operators can supply. This has created two more influences on the industry: imports, and the ability to match import prices.
Poultry consumption, principally of chicken, has significantly increased for most of the past 20 years. More recently, this rate has slowed, aggravated by disease outbreaks in both the United Kingdom and abroad. The past five years have actually shown a decline in revenue, which has fallen at an average of 3.1% per annum... purchase to read moree
Industry Report - Industry Investment Chapter
The extent to which new technology has been adopted varies, with a higher take-up by larger operators. Investment has been undertaken to improve efficiency so that most firms are using modern, automatic equipment, and freezing and chilling facilities. New technology will tend to increase capital intensity, as most activities can be automated.
Therefore, poultry processing is moderately labour intensive, with an average labour requirement using simple and advanced technology.
The wage cost has come down in the past five years and is not expected to expand its share of revenue for some time. There will be a change, however, in the way wages are spent. For example, the poultry product range is largely exhausted and consumption growth is slowing... purchase to read more