DEMAND for British meat products around the world has helped a company push sales beyond £1bn for a second consecutive year.

Cranswick says clamour for its products, particularly in the Far-East, gave it a springboard to bolster its market standing in the year to March 31.

The business, which has a factory at Norton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, ships more than 1,000 tonnes of goods to the Far-East every week to keep pace with consumer requirements.

Its deliveries account for more than 50 per cent of all pig meat exports from the UK to the region.

Such demand, said bosses, who also hailed their decision to spend £34m on equipment and product innovation and acclaimed their gumption in taking on poultry rival Benson Park, has yielded significant benefits.

Martin Davey, chairman, revealed revenues were up 6.6 per cent in the 12 months to £1.069bn, with adjusted pre-tax profits 13.7 per cent better off at £65.7m.

He said sales of sausage and bacon were both higher, led by customers’ willingness to spend a little more on premium sausage and beef burgers, as well as hand-cured and air-dried bacon.

Mr Davey also revealed its pastry division, wherein its Norton factory supplies goods such as sausage rolls, had seen sales rise 31 per cent, thanks to new lines and consumers’ desire to treat their taste buds at Christmas.

He said: “The past year has been one of strong commercial growth and continued development.

“This has enabled sales, which exceeded £1bn for the first time a year ago, to progress further.

“We now have a base from which to move forward and develop a strong presence in the poultry sector over the longer-term.

“Total exports grew 23 per cent compared to the previous year, and volume growth of 32 per cent in Far-Eastern markets was complemented by seven per cent growth in the US and eight per cent across the rest of the world.

“More than 1,000 tonnes of product are being shipped to the Far-East each week and further opportunities are being explored, while the range of products being exported is continually being broadened.”

Mr Davey added the business had also benefited from increased demand across its continental division, which includes cheeses, pasta and olives, and its sandwich operation, which saw sales rise three per cent on the back of new contracts.