Sainsbury's warns tea drinkers disruption in Red Sea is causing 'supply issues'

13 February 2024 , 09:11

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Sainsbury's has warned shoppers they could struggle to find black tea on their shelves (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Tea lovers might have a tough time finding their favourite brew in supermarkerts because of "supply issues" hitting supermarkets.

Sainsbury's has told customers that there's a "nationwide" problem with getting black tea, but they say it won't be a big problem for long. A note in one shop said: "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."

But It is understood that the supply problems, which are partly linked to disruption of shipments through the Red Sea, are specifically linked to just one supermarket tea supplier. Andrew Opie from the British Retail Consortium 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."

Most of the world's tea comes from Asia and East Africa, and lately, ships from these places have struggled to maintain supply lines because of trouble in the Red Sea. Houthi rebels' attacks have caused chaos for ships that usually pass through a major trade route to the Suez Canal.

Now, they're taking a longer way around Africa, which means it takes more time and costs more money. Sparsh Agarwal, who owns tea gardens in India and started Dorje Teas, said to the i newspaper that his tea isn't moving because of this trouble. "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."

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To try and stop these attacks, the US and UK have teamed up and hit back at the Houthis in Yemen.

Lawrence Matheson