Tesco has been left low on popular brands such as Marmite after a post-Brexit pricing row with supplier Unilever.
It is believed Unilever has demanded a 10 per cent price rise due to the falling value of the pound.
Deliveries to Tesco have been halted after the supermarket giant refused, leading to short supplies of household items such as Flora, Persil, Surf washing powder, Comfort fabric conditioner, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Pot Noodle and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.
Online sales rather than in-store products have been hit so far, with shoppers on Tesco's website met with the message "Sorry, this product is currently not available".
A Tesco spokesman said: "We are currently experiencing availability issues on a number of Unilever products. We hope to have this issue resolved soon."
Unilever has refused to comment on the dispute, but chief executive Paul Polman warned in June that a vote to leave the EU's single market would increase prices for consumers.
It is thought other supermarkets are embroiled in the row with Unilever which has been accused by Conservative MP Sir Gerald HowarthĀ of using Brexit as an excuse to exploit consumers.
MARMITE RUSH
Marmite fans have reportedly starting panicking about a possible shortage and rushing out to buy jars of the black stuff, while #MarmiteGate has been the top trending topic on Twitter.
Haha brilliant! šš¼ #Marmitegate @Tesco pic.twitter.com/eKWELbdaJb
ā Chris Page (@ChrisPage90) October 13, 2016
I can get Marmite, how much Marmite do you want? pic.twitter.com/H99NrjvlF5
ā Trudi (@Trudski2012) October 12, 2016
Sarah Hapgood tweeted: "Old lady nearby earlier talking about theĀ MarmiteĀ crisis. Remind me to stockpile some when I get home. If it's not too late by then ..."
And Tom Saible added: "Living in a village, I usually stockpileĀ Marmite, but I might have to do a special supermarket run just to be on the safe side."
Some people have even taken to eBay or Twitter to try and flog their unopened jars.
Looks like someone has spotted a supply/demand opportunity... #Marmitegate #ebay pic.twitter.com/pzBpOhXszk
ā kevinjparker (@kevinjparker) October 13, 2016
One ad, posted by Gail Eitch, is listed with bidding starting at Ā£5,000 - more than two-and-a-half thousand times its normal price.
She said: "One of the last remaining examples of this fabled product in private hands.
"Unsealed, it is in the same condition it was when it was plucked from the supermarket shelf.
"Little did I know it would be the lastĀ MarmiteĀ I ever bought - and now, you, too, can buy your last everĀ Marmite."Ā
Are you worried about supermarket prices going up or angry about your favourite goods being unavailable? Will you be stockpiling Pot Noodles or Marmite in response to the situation? Add your comments below.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel