SUPERMARKETS are facing a sardine shortage – leaving cat and dog owners scrambling to find tins for their pets.
The problem has been caused by poor fishing conditions off the coast of Morocco, where around 60 per cent of the UK’s sardine supply is sourced.
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Retailers are trying to manage stock but customers are still finding shelves empty across different regions of the country.
One Schnauzer dog owner said on X.com: “Florrie is down to her last few cans of Sardines. There appears to be a shortage in the supermarkets.”
Another added: “Have @sainsburys stopped selling sardines in spring water? Can’t find them anywhere. My dog eats a tin a day.”
Meanwhile a cat owner asked Sainsbury’s: “Have you stopped selling tinned sardines, specifically tinned sardines in spring water?
“I buy a lot (for our cats) and they are the ONLY reason I order deliveries from Sainsbury’s (there isn’t a store near us) because I can’t get them anywhere else.”
Meanwhile, another concerned owner added on social media site Reddit.com: “I’m a prolific buyer of tinned sardines in tomato sauce (solely down to my 2 dogs sharing a can to have with their kibble each evening).
“But recently they’ve been really hard to get hold of and there’s empty shelves in multiple supermarkets around my area (York / North Yorkshire).
“Does anyone happen to know why and whether the apparent supply issues are likely to persist?”
Various own-brand sardine products are out of stock on Asda’s grocery site, including tins containing sunflower oil, brine and tomato sauce, while Tesco and Morrisons have also run out of some lines, including branded versions by John West and Graal.
It’s understood that sardine supplies in Morocco are currently very limited, with the problem being put down to overfishing as well as extreme weather conditions linked to climate change.
The British Retail Consortium said: “Supply of tinned sardines has been impacted by fishing conditions in Morocco.
“Retailers are adept at managing supply, and will do all they can to minimise the impact on consumers.”
SUPERMARKET SHORTAGES
It’s not the first time supermarket shelves have been left empty due to a national shortage.
This month M&S has had to temporarily suspend several of its meal deals and sweets due to a prolonged cyberattack that continues to disrupt its operations.
Now in its third week, the ongoing cyber incident has led to major stock availability challenges, limiting the retailer’s capacity to provide meal deal options in stores.
In March, Brits faced a national banana shortage due to a storm disrupting the route of cargo ships to the UK – forcing Tesco and M&S to have empty shelves.
A shortage of grapes also rocked shops in December due to faltering harvest yields in Spain.
Frustrated shoppers took to the internet to complain about the absence of the common kitchen staple.
One customer wrote: “Tesco, why are there no grapes at your Melton store? I haven’t been able to get any in my deliveries for weeks!”
December also saw Morrisons get hit with food shortages after a widespread ransomware attack disrupted its operations.
The cyber incident caused software issues that led to a shortage of fresh produce, including fruit and vegetables.
Meanwhile, in November Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S were cleared of the popular creamy dip taramasalata.
The shortage was caused by industrial action at food manufacturer Bakkavor which led to a huge disruption in supply.
Richard Madely shared his outrage on this morning’s Good Morning Britain , exclaiming: “Judy likes Taramasalata at least once a week, but the factory is on strike!”
Best Items to Buy In Bulk in a Supermarket
Poppy Needham, a pricing pro at Approved Food, shared her top tips on what to bulk-buy.
Cupboard essentials
Toilet roll, kitchen paper, tissues, cleaning products and laundry supplies.
Polly explained: “A 24-pack of loo roll or a large bottle of washing-up liquid will save you money in the long run.”
Starchy staples
Rice, pasta, quinoa, oats, lentils, and beans have long shelf lives and form the basis of many meals.
“Buying larger bags of 5kg or more can significantly reduce the cost per gram,” said Poppy.
Chicken
Large packs of chicken, or even cheap frozen chicken breasts in bulk.
Tinned goods
From tinned tomatoes, tuna, salmon, any soup, and even fruits and veg.
Poppy commented: “Stock up when you see offers on multipacks or catering-size tins.
Misc
Cooking oils, spices, seasonings, tea, coffee, and drinks – these items keep their quality for a long time.
As for sweet treats, larger or sharing packs of chocolate are usually better value than single-serve portions.
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