Reducing packaging weight, increasing recycling and improving energy efficiency are amongst the top three priorities for UK food companies this year, according to the Food Manufacture State of the Industry Survey 2013.
The survey seeks to gauge the views of food manufacturing professionals about the current state of the food and drink manufacturing industry, in order to identify issues that are causing the most concern.
Some of the more troubling themes sound familiar. According to the UK survey, 57 per cent of respondents said they doubted that the UK's new groceries code adjudicator - who will oversee the relationship between supermarkets and their suppliers - will stop supermarkets from abusing their power over suppliers.
However 73 per cent of respondents have an optimistic outlook about the future of their company when compared with last year.
The survey also found that:
- 87 per cent of respondents agreed that the horsemeat scandal had damaged the reputation of the food supply chain
- 88 per cent believe the price of raw materials will be an increasing concern in the coming year
- 62 per cent confirm their companies have plans to increase investment in new product development (NPD), even though many believe their customers are more focused on price than ground-breaking NPD
- 70 per cent of respondents said their companies were not looking to shift manufacturing outside the UK
- 89 per cent see a long term future for the UK food manufacturing industry.
