Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £3.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Rising health consciousness chips away at sales
- Consumers’ health concerns continue to grow – they’re placing more focus on leading healthier lifestyles and monitoring the health qualities of their food. In the September 2025 Food Standards Agency (FSA) Consumer Insights Tracker, 78% of respondents expressed concern about ultra-processed food and 75% expressed concern about the amount of salt, sugar, fat or calories in food. As a result, processed potato products are suffering.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
A new UK-EU trade deal could alleviate supply troubles
- Changes resulting from Brexit have negatively affected the industry’s access to potato supplies. Upstream potato farmers have lost access to seasonal labourers from Eastern Europe, who were crucial to the UK’s potato supply. The National Farmers' Union reports that Eastern European workers accounted for almost all 70,000 seasonal farm workers before Brexit. Additionally, phytosanitary checks on potatoes have resulted in increased costs for brands seeking to import these goods from the EU, as the costs of export certificates and border checks have been passed on since their introduction in 2024. In October 2023, the UK government announced that these changes to animal and plant products would cost businesses £330 million annually.
Biggest companies in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
McCain Foods (GB) Ltd | 969.5 | |
KP Snacks Ltd | 558.2 | |
Walkers Snack Foods Ltd | 387.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Potato crisps, Prepared frozen potatoes and Potato snacks. Potato crisps is the largest segment of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Brand recognition keeps potato crisps popular
- Potato crisps are a type of potato snack product made by frying or baking thin slices of potatoes.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Businesses in this industry produce potato snacks, crisps, flour and meal, as well as dehydrated mashed potatoes and prepared frozen potatoes. This industry also includes industrial potato peeling. Companies that are contracted by retailers to produce own-label potato products are also included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom include Prepared frozen potatoes, Dehydrated potatoes, Potato snacks and Potato crisps.Companies
Companies covered in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom include McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, KP Snacks Ltd and Walkers Snack Foods Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom include dehydrated mashed potato, acrylamide and saturated fat.Industry Code
SIC 10.31 - Potato Crisps & Snacks Production in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Consumers lean towards healthy snacking. Growing health consciousness has pushed potato product manufacturers to create healthier snack alternatives by introducing new brands...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Frozen potatoes remain a staple in British diets. Although these products face challenges from increasing health concerns, at-home cooking and alternative choices, sales rema...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The East Midlands dominates the industry. With the highest concentration of factories (including Walkers' largest crisp facility) and vast potato farmlands, it serves as an i...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition breeds innovation in the potato product market. To gain a foothold, new brands are launching innovative flavours and premium products, prompting established produ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
McCain leads due to its innovative strategies. Continuous new product launches and aggressive marketing campaigns have fortified its market dominance.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of McCain Foods (GB) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of KP Snacks Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Walkers Snack Foods Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for KP Snacks Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Walkers Snack Foods Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Import tariffs protect UK producers. Import tariffs of up to 14% on potato-related products safeguard UK manufacturers from competitive foreign pricing. This protective barri...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Potato product manufacturers see their profit fall. Poor potato harvests have increased input prices, limiting profit. Brands have sought to offset the fall with savings in o...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom is £3.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 47 businesses in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.1 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 4.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom are McCain Foods (GB) Ltd, KP Snacks Ltd and Walkers Snack Foods Ltd
What does the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom include?
Prepared frozen potatoes and Dehydrated potatoes are part of the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom is McCain Foods (GB) Ltd.
How competitive is the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Potato Crisps & Snacks Production industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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