Abraham Jewett  |  September 23, 2021

Category: Covid-19

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Brexit & Pandemic & Food Shortage
(Photo Credit: Amani A/Shutterstock)

United Kingdom Food Shortage Overview: 

  • Who: Grocery stores in the United Kingdom are struggling to keep food on the shelves and some are being forced to shut their doors. 
  • Why: Supply chain issues for food have been exacerbated by Brexit, worker shortages, the pandemic, and diminishing consumer demand.
  • Where: The supply chain food shortage felt in the UK could have lingering effects in Ireland and other neighboring areas.

The effects of Brexit compounded with supply chain issues have been making it difficult for stores around the United Kingdom to keep their shelves stocked. Some have been forced to close their doors entirely

Marks & Spencer was the latest grocery store to shut down, announcing last week it was closing 11 of its stores in France and removing hundreds of lines due to Brexit-induced “long and complex export processes,” the Irish Examiner reports. 

Similar apprehensions have been raised by other major retailers, such as McDonalds, Primark, Ikea, Tesco, Smyths, and Iceland. 

Marks & Spencer said it is discontinuing 800 of its lines in Ireland, including its free-range chicken, orchids, and products containing parmesan reggiano. 

In addition to Brexit-related issues, grocery stores are also dealing with problems in the supply chain such as trucker shortages, diminishing consumer demand, and an increase in challenges related to global shipping, the Irish Examiner reports. 

The Pandemic Had ‘Massive Impact’ on Supply Chains in the UK

Aidan Flynn, general manager of Freight Transport Association (FTA) Ireland, told the Irish Examiner that lingering and current effects from the pandemic have taken a toll on the industry and compounded problems with the supply chain. 

The Covid pandemic has had a massive impact on the global supply chain. We’ve had ports shut down all over the world with Covid outbreaks,” Flynn told the Irish Examiner. “When something like that happens it has a long term impact.” 

The truck driver shortage combined with a general shortage of skilled workers in Ireland is causing significant issues, Flynn said, telling the Irish Examiner that drivers are not available to handle goods while shipping containers are missing consignments altogether. 

It’s like a perfect storm for the supply chain at the moment,” Flynn said. 

The FTA determined there were 30,000 open positions in the logistics sector back in 2018, with almost 30 percent of available work related to driving, reports the Irish Examiner. Brexit was in the middle of negotiations at the time. 

The UK landbridge continues to be a vital import route into Ireland, reports the Irish Examiner, however the truck driver shortage, along with Brexit custom checks, is making the route less productive. 

Marks & Spencer  was on the wrong side of consumers last year after it was accused of raising the price of its hand sanitizer to double that of equivalent products available elsewhere.

Have you noticed less food items on the shelves at your local grocery store? Let us know in the comments!


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