Brit’s favourite cuppa is under threat as “supply issues” threaten to cause a shortage of black tea, a major supermarket has said.
Sainsbury’s has told shoppers in some stores that “nationwide” problems could damage the availability of the beloved beverage. Retail bosses say the problem is “temporary” with “minimal” impact on consumers, however.
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.”
Express.co.uk has contacted Sainsbury’s for comment.
The problems are believed to be partly linked to strikes on shipping vessels by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
They are only specifically linked to just one supplier of tea to supermarkets.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: “There is temporary disruption to some black tea lines, but the impact on consumers will be minimal as retailers are not expecting significant challenges.”
Tea is primarily produced in Asia and East Africa. China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya produce around three quarters of the world’s tea.
These regions are among the most impacted over the last two months by attacks in the Red Sea. Houthi rebels in the region have attacked shipping vessels, claiming they are targeting those affiliated with Israel.
Officials say the strikes appear to have no such correlation.
Most shipping firms have opted to instead redirect shopments around the Cape of Good Hope at the foot of Africa, rather than towards the Suez Canal.
This diversion adds roughly 10 to 14 days onto shipment times – as well as an increase in costs.
Sparsh Agarwal, owner of several tea gardens in Darjeeling in India and founder of Dorje Teas, in December told iNews that tea shipments were being stalled due to the disruption.
He said: “We sent shipments to the US and Europe two weeks ago, but they are still in Bombay port and have not been picked up yet.”
Joint strikes from the US and UK have been launched on the Yemen-based Houthis in recent weeks in a bid to stop the recent spate of attacks.
