Due to a shortage of drivers, German confectionery manufacturer Haribo has told shopkeepers that it is struggling to deliver enough bags of sweets for customers.
It has been reported that jelly babies, gummy bears, mini-fried eggs and more could all be affected by the shortage as Haribo said, like many other producer and retailers, it was having trouble distributing its product.
The haulage industry has said the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit have contributed to thousands of unfilled HGV driver jobs.
“As is the case with many manufacturers and retailers throughout the country, we are experiencing challenges with regards to the nationwide driver shortage,” a spokesperson said. “We are working with partners across the food and drink industry to address and respond to this problem.”
Haribo have also reportedly cancelled planned promotions on its share bags as it tries to maintain availability.
News of Haribo’s crisis comes a week after haulage leaders warned that Britain faces gaps on supermarket shelves this summer as a result of labour shortfall.
James Bielby, the Chief Executive of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), said: “It is really critical. There are late deliveries or short deliveries, or product not available, or they are missing the delivery slot and having to collect. So there is a shortage of product coming in, which has a knock-on effect.
“The number of items that are available to customers is reduced, and also the number of drivers which the wholesalers use is reduced.”
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