Pilgrim’s UK is Britain’s biggest higher welfare pig farmer and producer of sustainably produced quality pork products.

A division of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, our business is part of the largest food company in the world,  whose team farm, process, prepare, package and deliver fresh, frozen and value-added food products for sale in more than 100 countries.

We are proud to partner with more than 1,000 UK farmers who share our belief in the highest standards on animal welfare, efficiency, and quality. Our own farming operation is 100% RSPCA Higher Welfare, making us the largest producer of higher welfare pork globally, delivering 25% of pig meat to UK consumers.

Our fully integrated supply chain using our own higher welfare pigs and which is supported by the UK’s highest independent R&D spend on pig farming, makes us unique in the marketplace and for our consumers.

Our rich heritage is one built on unrivalled expertise in pork farming and processing crafts. Today we operate in multiple categories from snacking to fresh pork products. We continue to grow a sustainable business through strategic investment to deliver the quality and added value we know our consumers want.

At Pilgrim’s UK, safety is not just a priority but a condition, and we are committed to people, safety, sustainability, animal welfare and quality as the foundations of our forward-looking business.

Today, our team members operate across 13 sites in the UK, including three abattoir/deboning sites and eight active processing sites. Many of those sites are centres of operational excellence, setting the bar for sustainable food production in areas such as bacon and sliced cooked meats.

Our higher welfare food production operation consists of four manufacturing sites dedicated to serving Waitrose with high quality pork and lamb products.

Through innovation and other efficiencies, we continue to improve the overall sustainability across our operations, including developing a circular waste economy, and minimising waste and water usage.

Our History

2004

In 2004, the formation of Tulip Ltd, marked the beginning of our UK food processing and farming operation.

Next Milestone

2010

By 2010, further consolidation led to us becoming one of the leading UK food companies and Britain’s biggest pig farmer.

Since then, we have invested more than £250 million in quality assets including high welfare pig abattoirs; the acquisition of Easey farming; the world’s largest Scotch egg production facility and a centre of excellence for curing and slicing bacon and gammon.

Our rich heritage has given us unrivalled expertise in crafts such as smoking, curing, butchery and farming, adding up to a compelling story for today’s consumers.

Next Milestone

2019

In 2019, Tulip Ltd was acquired by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation from Danish Crown.

Next Milestone

2020

In 2020 Tulip Ltd completed its integration with its new ownership by adopting the name Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd.

Today’s business has been shaped by bringing together some of the best family-operated food companies in the country, including Hygrade, Flagship, Roach, Dalehead, Geo Adams, Parkham and BQP.

2004
2010
2019
2020
View Our Story in a snapshot!

Our Vision

We are committed to living and breathing our values to drive our culture, identity, and the transformation towards our vision.

Our total commitment to people, safety, quality, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) will support us to achieve our vision.

Our four strategic pillars will help us turn our commitments into action: Becoming a more valued partner with our key customers; Relentlessly pursuing operational excellence; Having safe people, safe products and healthy attitudes; Developing a unique portfolio of diverse, complementary business models.

Our Values

Our foundation and our strength as an organisation come from our seven values: Determination; simplicity; availability; humility; sincerity; discipline; ownership.

These are the qualities that help us achieve our vision to become the best and most respected company in our industry – creating the opportunity of a better future for our team members.

Latest Awards

More about our Awards

Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2023

Our Corsham site was crowned Site Team of Year at the prestigious Food Manufacture Excellence Awards 2022.

Martin Bevan, Site Director and Jess Crudgington, Site Director Designate, were both on hand to collect the award alongside Jez Curtis, Engineering Manager and other Pilgrim’s UK colleagues.

The Food Manufacture Excellence Awards were founded to celebrate outstanding achievements within the UK’s fast-growing food and drink industry. Rewarding all elements of food and drink manufacturing, including environmental initiatives, business acumen, business change management, supply chain innovation, young talent and teamwork.

FMT Food Industry Awards 2023

Pilgrim’s UK won the Best Ready to Eat Product award for our Ruskington produced Tesco Ultimate Scotch Eggs at the 2023 FMT Food Industry Awards (Food Management Today).

The annual Food Awards champion innovation, service and great products from different sectors of food production, manufacturing and retailing, rewarding organisations, products and suppliers across 16 different categories. Our Tesco Ultimate Scotch Eggs have already been decorated by the Grocer Own Label Awards where they bagged the Bronze Award.

GroceryAid Gold Award 2023

GroceryAid has recognised Pilgrim’s UK and awarded the GroceryAid Gold Award for the fourth-year in a row in recognition of our great fundraising, volunteering efforts – and helping raise awareness.

The Gold award is given to organisations which have carried out more than eight activities across all three of their pillars in support of the charity and its aims. The pillars include awareness, fundraising and volunteering.

Pilgrim’s UK has supported a number of GroceryAid events, while colleagues have volunteered for the charity and raised awareness of its work. In addition, the business is an active member of the GroceryAid Welfare Strategy Committee – contributing with expert advice and strategic support.

National Pig Awards 2022

BQP farming parterres clinched two prizes at the National Pig Awards 2022 which included the prestigious best Outdoor Producer of the Year honour for GSK Pigs – Risby Unit and Trainee of the Year which was taken home by Max Campbell. In addition, Emma Claxton bagged the Highly Commended accolade in the Trainee of the Year category.

The honours recognise and reward excellence, foster innovation and inspire creativity and information sharing. It is the only awards exclusive to the British pig industry. The event has gone from strength to strength over the years and previous winners have set incredibly high standards for the rest of the industry to follow.

Q Awards 2022

Our Linton produced Waitrose Mexican Inspired Pork King Kebab was declared the winner of the Pork category at the Q awards 2022 online ceremony on Tuesday 8 November but the accolades did not stop there. Our Aldi Ashfields Grill Red Masala Pork Kebabs also bagged the Commended award in the same category and our Waitrose No. 1 Farmhouse Sausage claimed Highly Commended in the Bacon & Sausages category.

The awards celebrate the many great achievements within the industry and are seen as the industry gold standard. The Quality Food Awards are now in their 43rd year and have become renowned in the food sector as one of the most prestigious awards to win in the industry today. Products from every sector are judged according to a long established ten point judging criteria, covering all aspects of the product from aroma, flavour, texture, value for money, ingredients, and above all else, taste.

Olive Christmas Supermarket Taste Awards 2022

BQP farming parterres clinched two prizes at the National Pig Awards 2022 which included the prestigious best Outdoor Producer of the Year honour for GSK Pigs – Risby Unit and Trainee of the Year which was taken home by Max Campbell. In addition, Emma Claxton bagged the Highly Commended accolade in the Trainee of the Year category.

The honours recognise and reward excellence, foster innovation and inspire creativity and information sharing. It is the only awards exclusive to the British pig industry. The event has gone from strength to strength over the years and previous winners have set incredibly high standards for the rest of the industry to follow.

Women in Meat Awards 2022

Tracy Charlton, Ruskington Site Director, walked away with the Foodservice During the Women in Meat Awards which saw a total of six colleagues shortlisted across four prestigious categories.

The awards are designed to recognise the vitally important contributions that women make to the meat sector. They are driven by reader nominations and votes with an expert judging panel selecting the winners.

Attracting over 14,000 votes for the finalists this year, the annual Women In Meat Industry Awards ceremony revealed all the category winners at an event evening in London which was another outstanding success.

Meat Management Awards 2022

Pilgrim’s UK was awarded Best Burger for our Waitrose Summer 2 Wild Garlic & Herb Lamb Burger at the Meat Management Industry Awards 2022.

The gong follows another successful year of nominations at the prestigious awards which also saw the business shortlisted for Manufacturer of the Year, Best Sausage category for Co-op Irresistible Caramelised Onion Sausage and Best Pork/ Pigmeat Product category for Co-op Irresistible Muscovado Roast Ham.

The awards recognise the best manufacturers and producers, suppliers, retailers and butchers in the UK meat sector, and are voted for by the readers of the magazine, plus various categories judged by experts.

Lantra Cymru Awards 2022

Lantra Cymru Awards 2022 saw Pilgrim’s UK Lamb walk away with the Food Skills Cymru award within the Large Business Category.

The Food Skills Cymru awards acknowledge businesses in the food and drink manufacturing and processing industry that have undertaken training over the last three years, are investing in their employees and upskilling their staff with a defined range of training courses. The awards comprised of three categories Large Businesses, SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Businesses and Micro Businesses. The award in the Large Business category went to Pilgrim’s UK Lamb Ltd in Llanidloes.

 

Free From Christmas Awards 2022

Co-op Irresistible Posh Chipolatas in Blankets bagged the Gold award in the 2022 Free From Christmas Awards. In addition, our Co-op 12 Pork, Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls, bagged the Bronze award.

Judges commented that the chipolatas were juicy, salty and a great size to add one or two to a plate. While the stuffing balls won them over because of their pleasant aroma, nice size convenience. They also felt everything tasted natural and not over salted as so many stuffing balls are. Both products were available on Co-op and around until Christmas.

Grocer New Own Label Awards 2022

Tesco Soft Set Scotch Eggs won a Bronze award at The Grocer’s New Own Label awards in the competitive ‘Deli’ Category. In addition, Our Waitrose Slow Cooked Mexican Inspired Pork Al Pastor also won the Outstanding Product Winner – Pork.

The Grocer Own-Label awards celebrate winners from all the accredited products, showcasing the best across 17 categories, from alcohol to Christmas products.

Farmer Weekly Awards 2022

QP farming partner, Rob McGregor of LSB Pigs, won Farm Manager of the Year 2022 at the prestigious Farmer Weekly Awards.

Rob has devoted his career to the outdoor pig sector and his influence has improved welfare and efficiency way beyond the two outdoor herds he manages in Norfolk. The herds rear weaners for BQP finishers, which in turn supply Waitrose and premium ranges at other retailers and food manufacturers.

Farmers Weekly’s farming awards celebrate the best of British agriculture by recognising hard-working and innovative farmers across the UK.

BBC Good Food Awards 2022

Waitrose Slow Cooked Ultimate Crackling Pork Belly Feast was crowned Best Alternative Christmas Main at the BBC Good Food Awards 2022.

The luxury product, which is produced in Corsham, was described as ‘everything pork belly should be’ by judges’ which includes super tender and juicy meat – all of which is complemented by the accompanying apple sauce which has a hint of spicing.

Great Taste Awards 2022

Two Jolly Hog products have been awarded respective Star Awards at the Great Taste Awards 2022. The Jolly Hog Scotch Eggs were awarded one star, just like in 2021, and the Jolly Hog Black Treacle Ham was awarded two Stars. Every Great Taste award-winning product can display the black and gold logo, a stamp of excellence that is recognised by retailers and consumers alike.  Established in 1994, Great Taste is organised by the Guild of Fine Food and is the world’s largest, longest standing and most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers.