The food, drink and tobacco industries combined make a substantial contribution to the national economy. In terms of gross output these industries account for 50 per cent of indigenous industry and represent over more than 6 per cent of gross domestic product. The sector had a gross output in 1999 of £10.9 billion and the largest individual sector is meat, which comprises 26 per cent of total output.

There are around 700 enterprises in the food, drink and tobacco sector employing some 47,000 people. Within this, employment in the food sector stands at just over more than 41,000. Almost 13,000 people are employed in the meat sector and dairying is the next largest employer, with 7,400 people.