Prime Highlights-
- Women now make up 35% of the food manufacturing workforce in the UK and Ireland, according to the report.
- More organisations are moving toward the goal of 40% female representation by 2035.
Key Facts-
- Meat Business Women works to support and promote women across the meat industry worldwide.
- Leading food manufacturing companies reported women holding 40% of first-line manager roles.
Background-
Women are strengthening their presence in the food manufacturing industry across the UK and Ireland, according to a new report released in May by Meat Business Women.
The report found that women now make up 35% of the workforce in food manufacturing and 33% in the meat sector across the two regions. Globally, women account for 34% of the food manufacturing workforce and 32% in meat and poultry.
The report said female representation across the industry continues to improve, although progress differs between organisations and regions. It noted that more than a quarter of participating organisations have already achieved the Food Business Charter target of 40% female representation by 2035.
The findings also showed better workplace culture, stronger inclusion efforts, wider professional networks and improved career support for women.
The report found that women account for 46% of the workforce in leading food manufacturing companies and also hold a larger share of first-line management roles.
In companies showing stronger progress, women hold 40% of first-line manager positions. The report said these changes are helping create stronger leadership pipelines and improving long-term workforce diversity across the industry.
The study also stressed the importance of workplace flexibility and equal career opportunities in retaining women during key stages of professional growth.
Industry experts said continued efforts to remove career barriers and improve inclusion could further strengthen women’s participation in leadership and support long-term growth across the food manufacturing sector in the coming years while helping companies build more balanced and skilled workforces globally.
