Food and Drink Sector
The food and drink industry in the North East has developed a reputation for producing innovative products, having a strong manufacturing base and for supplying major retailers with leading branded and own label products. This has seen the profile of the sector improving dramatically.
The food and drink sector in the North East comprises in excess of 1,500 organisations. Collectively these firms generate an annual turnover of £3.5bn employing some 45,000 people.
Food and drink processing is a leading employer in the region’s manufacturing sector employing c.20,000 people and has attracted some of today’s leading producers including Nestle, United Biscuits, PepsiCo and Kerry Foods and contributes approximately £2billion per year to the regional economy. The industry has great strengths in meeting the demanding ‘added value’ requirements of regional, national and international markets.
Informed by Industry leadership and based upon business development and growth challenges facing the sector in the region, One North East and regional partners are investing in this sector to impact upon growth and competitive advantage, including:
- Innovation and NPD
- Market Development
- Skills
- Growth ‘Roller-coaster’
- Sustainability
- Image - promoting the benefits of the industry
The Region has many established projects delivering improvements to industry, including:
- Regional Food Group
- Food Technology Centre
- North East Food & Drink Network
