Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Food & Beverage Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the...
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Mondelēz International has revealed a £2.3 billion contribution to the UK economy, urging the government to prioritise food and drink manufacturing within Britain’s long-term Industrial Strategy.
As one of the world’s largest snacking companies, Mondelēz International has published its new Joy-makers and Growth-creators report, outlining the company’s economic impact across the UK and calling for greater regulatory stability to unlock future growth.
Backed by more than 200 years of British manufacturing heritage, the company – whose portfolio includes Cadbury, BelVita, Philadelphia, Toblerone, and OREO – says the sector must be placed at the heart of Britain’s economic ambitions.
INVESTING IN UK MANUFACTURING
The report highlights how Mondelēz International contributed £2.3 billion to the UK economy in 2025, whilst supporting nearly 12,000 jobs nationwide. Of those, 3,800 are directly employed across eight UK sites.
The company also spent £1.3 billion with more than 1,000 UK suppliers, spanning dairy farming, logistics, manufacturing, and retail supply chains.
Alongside its economic contribution, Mondelēz International has invested £135 million into UK manufacturing operations since 2022, as well as a further £24 million into research and development facilities.
The UK now represents the company’s largest global R&D hub, employing more than 700 scientists and engineers focused on food science, nutrition, and wellbeing innovation.
SUPPORTING REGIONAL GROWTH
Mondelēz International says its impact stretches far beyond factory sites, supporting local economies and communities across every UK region.
In the West Midlands alone, the company contributes nearly £600 million in gross value added (GVA) and employs more than 2,000 people.
The business has also donated £7.7 million to UK charities since 2022, whilst its Health for Life programme has reached more than 266,000 people nationwide.
Further investment in talent development also remains a key priority. Recognised as a UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute, Mondelēz International supported 98 apprentices during 2025 as part of its wider early careers strategy.
“We’ve been part of the UK’s growth story for more than 200 years. With regulatory stability and a place at the heart of the Industrial Strategy, we can drive further growth and help ease cost-of-living pressures for families across the UK”
Despite its continued investment, Mondelēz International warns that rising operational costs, supply chain disruption, and policy instability are placing increasing pressure on the food and drink sector.
The company argues that frequent policy changes can undermine investment confidence, increase compliance costs, restrict consumer choice, and ultimately slow economic growth.
As part of its recommendations to the Government, Mondelēz International is calling for food and drink manufacturing – an industry worth £42 billion and employing 500,000 people – to be formally recognised as a priority sector within the UK Industrial Strategy.
The company also wants to see reforms to the skills system aligned more closely with the needs of advanced manufacturing, alongside stronger collaboration between Government, industry, and academia to drive innovation and competitiveness.
BUILDING ON A 200-YEAR LEGACY
According to Christian Woolfenden, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for UK & Ireland at Mondelēz International, the business remains committed to supporting Britain’s long-term economic growth.
This article was produced by the editorial team at Food & Beverage Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across food production, manufacturing, supply chains, construction, healthcare, mining, and sustainability.
Food & Beverage Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping the global food and beverage sector.
Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Food & Beverage Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
