Wholesalers turned over £34bn in 2023/24 with £17.5bn of this coming from retailers and £13.4bn from foodservice providers, while the channel directly employs 77,000 people.
Commissioned by the FWD, Capital Economics’ Going for Growth findings also show that 1.5m jobs are supported by the wholesale sector, with wholesalers directly contributing to £3.5bn to national output in terms of gross value added.
The data also displays that the sector supports 1.5m value chain jobs in the UK, which is more than the financial services industry. As well as this, the total £57bn gross value added to the UK economy through food and drink wholesale activity (upstream and downstream) is claimed to be more than the entire GDP of Northern Ireland.
Read more: FWD addresses industry challenges to MPs at Westminster
Minister Daniel Zeichner recently joined senior wholesalers and suppliers in the Houses of Parliament to launch the new report, which highlights the integral role that food and drink wholesalers play in driving growth in the UK’s economy.
Zeichner, the Minster for Food Security and Rural Affairs said: “This report highlights just how important the wholesale sector is. These are really significant numbers. Economic growth is absolutely central to wholesale businesses, as is breaking down the barriers to opportunity. Our pledge to you is to work with you as we begin to develop our policies. Our stated goal is to try and help change the way the supply chain operates to make sure there is a fair distribution of resources through the supply chain, and I really look forward to working with the wholesale sector on this.”
Speaking at the launch, FWD head of external affairs Lyndsey Cambridge said: “Wholesalers are the lifeblood of the nation – from supporting high street restaurants to supplying hospitals, schools and local retailers with food, the FWD membership is delivering for people across the length and breadth of the UK. This groundbreaking research, conducted for us by Capital Economics, provides a comprehensive economic impact of food and drink wholesale, demonstrating the value and importance of the sector in improving consumer choice through its support for retailers and caterers.
