Produced once every three years, this year’s report represents our most ambitious and far-reaching study to date and forms part of the global evidence base submitted to the United Nations. Expanding beyond our core meat sector for the first time, the research now reflects both the meat industry and the wider food manufacturing sector, including categories such as dairy, seafood, bakery, ready meals, produce and ingredients.

Importantly, this is also the first report to benchmark progress against the Global Food Business Charter ambition of achieving 40% female representation across the global food industry by 2035.The report provides one of the most comprehensive global benchmarks on gender representation across food manufacturing and offers important insight into where progress is being made and where further action is still needed.

Key findings include:

• Women represent 34% of the global food manufacturing workforce and 32% within meat and poultry
  • Progress remains uneven, with a widening gap emerging between leading and lagging organisations
  • The biggest pressure point remains the first move into management, where future leadership pipelines are either strengthened or lost
  • Middle managers play a defining role in shaping inclusion, progression and workplace culture
  • Flexibility and role design continue to be critical to retaining and progressing talent

Importantly, the findings reinforce that measurable progress is possible. Food Business Charter signatories and Meat Business Women partners are outperforming across most career levels, demonstrating the impact of targeted action, leadership commitment and accountability. The report is designed to support organisations, policymakers and global stakeholders in shaping HR strategies, leadership development, workforce planning, ESG priorities and talent retention approaches across the food supply chain.

Above all, we hope the research acts as a catalyst for further collaboration and meaningful action across the industry.

Download the Report here