Tea shortage reported following supply chain issues

The disruption is said to be linked to Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, as well as supply and demand delays with one tea supplier.

A sign in one Sainsbury’s store read: “We are experiencing supply issues affecting the nationwide supply of black tea. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to be back in full supply soon.”

According to The Guardian, retail bosses have said the problems are temporary and stressed that the impact on consumers is expected to be minimal.

Greg Hanson, GVP and head of sales EMEA North at Informatica, said: “The nation’s morning brew is set to go cold due to trade route disruptions. With some tea shipments being redirected or stalled in the Red Sea, some retailers are warning of a potential black tea shortage.

“Empty shelves, even for short periods, have a negative impact on retail margins, which are already quite slim. And, when there are multiple product shortages, retailers can find themselves in hot water.

“It is undoubtedly tough to navigate continued supply chain turbulence, which unfortunately is becoming more common due to various world events. Supermarkets need to be able to identify their dependencies and potential sources of disruption as they happen. One way to do this is with a single 360 view of their supply chain.

“AI offers a helping hand here. With AI-powered cloud data management and governance, retailers have visibility to proactively manage supply chain challenges, identify alternative suppliers or shipping routes, and keep our shelves stocked.”