Food and drink manufacturing leads output and demand growth in March

UK food and drink producers outperformed all other UK sectors in both output and new order growth in March and were the primary drivers for the wider manufacturing sector’s first expansion in output in more than a year, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Sector Tracker. 

Of the 14 sectors monitored by the Tracker, food and drink manufacturers reported the fastest growth of output growth in March (59.1 vs. 51.8 in February). This was driven by a strong rise in new orders (59.3 vs. 47.3), which was also the fastest of any sector recorded in March. A reading on the Tracker above 50.0 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50.0 indicates contraction. 

Of the seven manufacturing sub-sectors monitored by the Tracker, only three – chemicals (56.9 vs. 50.4), food and drink manufacturing (59.1 vs. 51.8) and industrial goods manufacturing (50.8 vs. 53.9) – saw output grow. 

Food producers continue to cut prices, but see their own costs rise

In March, food and drink manufacturers continued to cut prices charged to customers (48.5 vs. 47.6 in February). This means that the sector has now reduced prices in six of the last seven months – with January 2024 the only period when prices were reportedly raised, and even then, only marginally.

However, food and drink producers reported the first increase in their own costs since April 2023 in March – a trend that, if it persists, could challenge any future price-cutting plans. Reports of higher costs came as the number of manufacturing businesses experiencing higher shipping-related expenses was nearly four-times (3.86) the long-run average.  

Overall, nine of the 14 UK sectors monitored saw output growth in March, one fewer than in February. Real estate (57.5 vs. 52.9) saw the second fastest rate of activity growth, after food and drink manufacturing. In contrast, automobile and auto parts manufacturers saw output contract for a third month in a row and the most sharply (31.8).

Seven sectors saw demand, as measured by new orders, grow – one more than in February. Real estate also posted the second-fastest rate of demand growth (57.7 vs. 60.4), supported by an improving economic backdrop and rising confidence among clients, while metals & mining firms saw demand fall at the fastest rate (39.9 vs. 46.9).

Nikesh Sawjani, Senior UK Economist, Lloyds Bank, said: “Our latest report provides some tentative signs that UK manufacturing may be finally coming out of a challenging couple of years.  However, growth is largely concentrated in one or two areas – particularly food and drink – rather than spread across the whole sector with other parts continuing to be hit with declining demand. This suggests that manufacturing still has some way to go towards making a sustainable recovery. 

“That said, there are encouraging signs in terms of purchasing activity. Three of the seven manufacturing sub-sectors reported a rise in input buying in March, representing the most broad-based improvement since May last year, and a positive signal for UK manufacturing prospects.” 

Aled Patchett, Head of Retail and Consumer Goods, Lloyds Bank, said: “Of the sectors we monitor, food and drink manufacturing is the one that has most consistently cut prices over recent months. If this trend continues, this could help support the future growth of businesses that purchase wholesale food stocks, such as supermarkets, restaurants, pubs and hotels, and reduce costs for end-consumers.

“However, there’s renewed pressure on firms when it comes to their own input costs. As well as potentially forcing businesses to pause price-cutting, or even start to raise prices again, this will be putting an immediate squeeze on working capital. That’s something management teams across the sector will need to be closely tracking in order to minimise the impact and maintain their long-term resilience.”