BFFF urges government to heed frozen food sector warning amid rising costs

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) has issued a robust plea to the UK Government, calling for immediate policy consideration to mitigate the severe financial pressure placed on UK food producers by recent political and fiscal changes.

The Federation warned that a series of cumulative costs are stifling innovation and posing a direct threat to the resilience and growth of the frozen food sector.

Speaking at the BFFF’s 77th Annual Lunch, Karen McQuade, BFFF president, detailed the intense strain facing businesses already managing high inflation, volatile energy prices, and persistent supply chain disruption.

She highlighted three key policy changes that are currently pushing many manufacturers to a breaking point: recent national insurance increases, rising national wage costs, and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payments.

“Timing is everything,” McQuade stated. “The National Insurance rise has hit just as food inflation and supply chain pressures are peaking and, for many of our members, those costs come straight off the bottom line. That leaves no room to invest, expand or retain staff. This is a threat to people’s jobs, and the resilience of our food system.”

BFFF research supports this warning, revealing that the cost pressures are immediately impacting employment and investment decisions. The data shows that one third of BFFF members have already reduced their workforce as a direct result of the NI changes, while nearly half have either paused recruitment or delayed crucial capital investment plans.

The Federation had previously written to the Chancellor ahead of the budget, providing evidence and urging the implementation of policies designed to incentivise and drive sector growth.

While acknowledging a slight positive development in the EPR scheme — the confirmation that funds will be ringfenced for local authority waste management — McQuade maintained that the overall timing and cost burden still present major challenges for food manufacturers.

Rupert Ashby, BFFF chief executive, affirmed that the Federation is redoubling its political engagement efforts to ensure the frozen food industry’s strategic value is recognised in Westminster.

“Frozen food delivers consistent quality, reduces waste and ensures food security in times of crisis, but that contribution is too often overlooked in policy,” Ashby argued. He confirmed the BFFF is actively working with Defra on both the National Food Strategy and the National Resilience Strategy.

Ashby concluded with a clear message to policymakers: “We’re here to make sure the industry’s voice is heard loud and clear in Westminster. We continue to press for practical measures to boost growth, support employers, and ensure the UK retains a strong, sustainable frozen food sector.”