Christmas favourites such as pigs in blankets could be the latest food products to fall foul of Brexit-linked labour shortages, processors have warned.
Migrant labour shortfalls of up to 30% mean processors have faced a struggle as production ramps up ahead of the Christmas period.
Plants were “already approaching the point where they’re 10% to 15% down” in terms of worker numbers, despite needing an extra 10% to 15% for the festive season, said the British Meat Processors Association.
The manufacture of labour-intensive seasonal products such as pigs in blankets would come under particular pressure as it was difficult to mechanise the process, warned BMPA CEO Nick Allen.
“We were struggling for labour anyway and the run-up to Christmas is when it gets even tougher,” he added.
“No one is saying processors will not be able to fulfil orders, but they’ll tailor them accordingly. Whether that leaves a gap or not, it’s a job to know.”
Allen’s fears were echoed by National Pig Association senior policy advisor Ed Barker, who warned a number of processors were “concerned about not fulfilling orders”. Labour shortages were now also biting in abattoirs and on pig farms, he added.
It follows a string of similar reports from across the fresh food sector in recent weeks.
As The Grocer revealed earlier this month, “thousands of tonnes” of fruit and veg has been left to rot in fields, with growers anticipating six-figure losses.
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