The food and drink manufacturing and processing sector includes the following industries:

• bakery 
• brewing
• convenience foods
• distilling
• dairy 
• fresh produce
• meat and poultry
• milling and cereals
• fish processing
• soft drinks and water
• sweets and confectionery

The largest industries in terms of employment are the Bakery, other food and meat and poultry industry.  There have been major changes in the pattern of consumer demands due to changing lifestyles and higher standards of living.

Workers in the industry are mainly full-time employees.  Self-employment is very uncommon in this sector.  Two thirds of the workforce is male.  The workforce is predominantly white, which is expected to change over the next years.

Employment within the food and drink manufacturing and processing sector is dominated by skilled trades occupations, machine and transport operatives and elementary occupations which together account for 56% of total employment.

Total employment in the sector is forecast to fall about 10% over the next 10 years, which will vary across the occupations.  Half of the decrease of future employment will be amongst elementary occupations, whilst managers and professional occupations are anticipated to expand.  There will be an increase in requirements for skilled and professional employees leading to a recruitment equivalent to almost 50% of current employment levels.

The largest proportions of the workforce are located in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, the East of England and Scotland.

Most employees in the sector are qualified at Level 2 or below, but this varies greatly over the industries.  The animal feed industry has the largest proportion of employees qualified at Level 4 or above.

There is no culture of working towards formal qualifications.  More than half or employers, however, have funded or arranged for off-the-job training for its employees.