3 min read
Food shortages being reported by a growing number of well-known companies are likely to be permanent, a major industry leader has issued a stark warning to governments.
Ian Wright, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, said the system in which British consumers for decades could expect a full range of food and drink options in supermarkets and restaurants was “over” and probably not coming back.
A shortage of truck drivers and workers in other parts of the supply chain, exacerbated by Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, has led to shortages of food and other items in recent weeks, with a number of major businesses including McDonald's, Greggs and The Co-op reporting shortages of certain goods.
Wright told the Institute for Government think tank on Friday that the chaos was “going to get much worse”, warning that “it's not going to get better any time soon after it gets worse”.
He told the IfG that the UK food and drink industry is short of around half a million workers, meaning it is short of around an eighth of the total workforce needed.
He also warned that fundamental changes to the way UK supply chains work mean the shortages appearing on supermarket shelves will be permanent.
“As a result of the labour shortage, the just-in-time approach that has sustained supermarkets, stores and restaurants – getting food to shelves and kitchens just when it's needed – is no longer working and is unlikely to continue to work,” he said.
“We're now in a permanent shortage.”
Very harsh words Food and beverageIan Wright
Supply chain disruptions “are going to get worse,” he said. FollowChristmas and another Brexit cheque arrives
Just-in-time supply chains as the UK has known them will be 'ended' and food shortages will become 'permanent'
— Adam Payne (@adampayne26) September 10, 2021
These shortages do not mean the country will face food shortages, he said.
However, Mr Wright added that the situation would be similar to that seen last week, when bottled water supplies were cut off “throughout the east of England” because companies were unable to deliver.
“This is a developed country issue, where no one is disadvantaged by not having access to bottled water,” the industry executive said.
“But what's now changing is the fact that UK shoppers and consumers previously expected almost any product they wanted to be available on the shelves or in restaurants at all times.
“It's over. And I don't think it's ever going to come back.”
There is growing pressure on governments to ease pressure on supply chains in the short term by making it easier for companies to hire truck drivers and other workers from Europe.
The Confederation of British Industry, one of a number of trade groups calling for temporary changes to post-Brexit immigration rules, warned earlier this week that labour shortages could last for up to two years unless the government takes urgent action.
But the government has so far rejected such calls, saying it wants companies to hire more British workers rather than relying on EU workers.
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