Food and Meat Manufacturers Called to Contribute Workforce Data to landmark Industry Gender Report

[6 January 2026] — Meat Business Women (MBW) is calling on food and meat manufacturers to submit workforce data to support the industry’s most comprehensive benchmark of gender balance; the Global Gender Representation Report.

Now open for participation, the Gender Representation Report is the meat industry’s most comprehensive benchmarking report on gender balance. First launched in 2020, the research has tracked progress over time, giving businesses a clear view of where representation is improving, where barriers remain, and how workforce composition links directly to attraction, retention and leadership progression.

In its third edition, the 2026 report marks a significant expansion. For the first time, it will now include the entire food manufacturing sector, spanning meat, dairy, seafood, ready meals, produce, bakery and ingredients. This reflects the shared challenges facing the industry, including skills shortages, automation, evolving workforce expectations and the growing scrutiny placed on social sustainability across the supply chain.

For manufacturers, participation has never been more relevant. Retailers, investors and customers are placing greater emphasis on people metrics as part of ESG reporting, supplier assessments and responsible sourcing frameworks. Businesses are increasingly expected to demonstrate not only environmental progress, but also how they are building inclusive, future-ready workforces. The Gender Representation Report provides manufacturers with robust, industry-specific data to support these conversations, enabling them to evidence progress, identify risks and take informed action backed by credible benchmarking.

To capture both organisational data and lived experience, the research consists of two surveys:

• A Business Survey for food manufacturers to complete, gathering workforce data across career levels, open until 20 February 2026.
• An Employee Pulse Survey, open to anyone working in food manufacturing, open until 9 February 2026

Laura Ryan, Global Chair of Meat Business Women, said:

“This research gives manufacturers the evidence they increasingly need, not just to understand their workforce, but to respond confidently to retailer expectations, sustainability commitments and future skills challenges. Gender balance is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it is a clear indicator of resilient, forward-thinking businesses.”

Participation is open to all food and meat manufacturers, regardless of size, geography, or whether they are existing partners of Meat Business Women. All businesses that submit data will receive a confidential benchmark report, allowing them to understand how their organisation compares with the wider industry. Companies that are signatories to the Food Business Charter will receive additional detail on how they are tracking against industry pledges.

Ryan added:

“The strength of this report lies in participation. The more businesses that contribute, the clearer the picture becomes and the more powerful the insights are in driving practical, industry-wide change.”

The findings of the Gender Representation Report 2026 will be published in Summer 2026 and will inform leadership decisions, workforce strategies and industry dialogue across the global food manufacturing sector.

Manufacturers are encouraged to act now, cascade the surveys internally and help ensure the industry has the data it needs to build a more sustainable, inclusive future.

Full details, including survey links and a preview of the Business Survey, are available here: https://www.meatbusinesswomen.org/the-food-business-charter/gender-representation-report-2026.html