McCain profits have fallen by almost a third after growth at the frozen chip maker stalled and costs increased in the face of a poor potato harvest.
Revenues at the UK arm of McCain declined 5.8% to £752.8m in the year to 30 June 2025, partially reversing the 12.1% growth recorded in the prior 12 months.
Pre-tax profits fell 31% to £68.3m (-£30.5m) as a result of the lower top line and higher costs as the company faced “multiple challenges across the supply chain”, according to the newly filed accounts.
It marked a significant reversal in McCain’s bottom line, with pre-tax profits having reached almost £100m in 2023/24, almost doubling over a three-year run.
Intensifying competition from own label also chipped away at sales and volumes last year, leading to McCain selling 6.5 million fewer packs and value tumbling 5.5% to £473.6m, according to the latest Britain’s Biggest Brands in The Grocer [NIQ 52 w/e 31 December 2025]. Rival Birds Eye also increased the pressure on McCain with the launch frozen chips and wedges in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
A spokeswoman for McCain said the company had been forced to “navigate multiple challenges across the supply chain impacting costs and supply, including challenging weather conditions affecting the potato crop”.
“Despite this, the business remained profitable and continued to invest in its long‑term resilience and sustainability,” she added.
McCain’s farmers were hit by a weak UK potato harvest in 2024, with persistent wet weather in the spring leading to a lower yield than normal.
In February 2025, McCain launched a support package for its network of 250 farmers to help ease the financial burden on the sector stemming from spiralling input costs and extreme weather. It equates to an additional £30m of investment over a three-year period.
“Support for growers remained a priority and we continued to help them implement regenerative agricultural practices through the provision of practical agronomic support and grants for practices such as cover cropping,” the McCain spokeswoman said. “Eighty-seven per cent of our acreage is now onboarded onto McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework.”
McCain also launched an awareness campaign for regenerative agriculture in March 2025, featuring ‘The Marvellous Mrs Maisel’ star Rachel Brosnahan.
“Alongside this, the business continued to invest in innovation, demonstrated by the launch of a new product, Vibes, reinforcing our commitment to matching evolving consumer needs and delivering value for customers,” the spokeswoman added.
The ridge-cut snacks are designed specifically for the air fryer market, and are said by McCain to combine “the fluffiness of chips with the moreish crunch of a crisp”. Flavoured like crisps, they are available in Salt & Vinegar and Firecracker Chilli.
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