Mince pie shortage ahead of Christmas as dried fruit starts to run out
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Mince pies could run out due to a shortage of dried fruit.
A lack of raisins, currants and sultanas used to make the filling for the festive favourites has hit the UK.
Christmas puddings could also be affected.
They are the latest products to fall victim to the nationwide labour and supply chain crisis.
Food sales analyst Mintec said the shortfall – caused by a lack of lorry drivers – could also force up prices on the shelves.
It said: “UK buyers in the nuts and dried fruit sector are… experiencing similar issues facing other sectors. Supplies are delayed at UK ports or buyers’ warehouses amid the lack of road transport capacity.”
It added that “if the situation does not improve, consumers face higher prices”.
Supermarkets said they had seen a 10% rise in sales of mince pies compared to this time last year as families rushed to stock up early for Christmas.
Earlier this month, shoppers were warned that there could be a shortage of pies due to issues getting hold of their
foil cases.
The British Pie Association urged pie makers to tackle the problem by re-using the cases rather than throwing them away.
The festive crisis comes as Britain already faces a shortage of elves and Santas.
Grottos across the country are struggling to recruit workers for the festive season.
It is being blamed on Brexit, the pandemic and a glut of seasonal vacancies which pushed the number of unfilled jobs to 1.1million – a record high.
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- Christmas
- Brexit
- Food
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