Food and Drink

Food and drink are central to the economic success of the Northwest and the sector is ripe with investment potential.

We are the largest food and drink producing region in England and Wales, according to a Promar study for Food Northwest, and boast more food production companies then any other region.

Overall, the food and drink industry - encompassing all parts of the food supply chain: food retail and food service, food processing and agriculture - contributes 10% to regional GVA and accounts for almost 15% of total regional employment.

We have renowned strengths in dairy production, red meat and cereal processing, as well as in fast-growing areas such as prepared foods, ethnic and speciality foods. Many of the food and drink industry's biggest brands, household names synonymous with quality, such as Nestle, Halewood International, Fox's Biscuits, Heinz, Kellogg's, Patak Foods and Vimto, have bases here.

These multinational strengths are combined with a vibrant, growing base of innovative independent companies and small-to-medium-size businesses. Businesses like Booths, the independent supermarket, recently voted one of the world's top 25 'food heroes' by 2,000 industry experts.

And it's not just about food production, processing and retailing. The Northwest is a national leader in several areas of leading edge food technology, including food hygiene and traceability, process innovation, lean manufacturing and packaging.