Convenience food maker Greencore said its sales of food to go products such as sandwiches, salads, sushi and chilled snacks have collapsed 70% as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Sales of food to go products account for two-thirds of the group’s turnover. Greencore said its sales are currently down 40% on where they were last year as a result of the collapse.

In response to the crisis, Greencore said it had temporarily closed three of its manufacturing plants and had reduced production at a fourth.

The company said it had also furloughed a “substantial proportion” of its employees in the UK.