A jar of Marmite is arranged for a photogaph in Brenchley, south east England, on October 13, 2016.
British staple Marmite was taken off the virtual shelves at British supermarket Tesco on Thursday, following a reported row with supplier Unilever over pricing after the pound plummeted on fears over the UK’s Brexit plans. Jars of Marmite were “currently not available” in the online store of Tesco — the world’s third biggest supermarket chain — after the company reportedly refused Unilever’s request to hike prices. Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images.
Marmite in short supply due to brewer’s yeast shortage
Calling all Marmite fans! Supplies of Marmite have been affected due to brewer’s yeast being in short supply.
A jar of Marmite is arranged for a photogaph in Brenchley, south east England, on October 13, 2016.
British staple Marmite was taken off the virtual shelves at British supermarket Tesco on Thursday, following a reported row with supplier Unilever over pricing after the pound plummeted on fears over the UK’s Brexit plans. Jars of Marmite were “currently not available” in the online store of Tesco — the world’s third biggest supermarket chain — after the company reportedly refused Unilever’s request to hike prices. Photo: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images.
With beer brewers halting or slowing production because of various national lockdowns, brewer’s yeast is in short supply which is ultimately a crucial ingredient in the food spread, Marmite.
Marmite in short supply
According to Sky News, Marmite’s manufacturer announced that they can no longer produce large jars of the brown, sticky paste.
“Marmite is made from yeast extract – a crucial ingredient that’s a by-product of beer brewing. And with brewers slowing or stalling production after pubs and restaurants were forced to close in March, it’s now in short supply.”
It’s reported that the news was unearthed by a Marmite devotee on Twitter, who tweeted the brand to ask why they were struggling to track down 400g squeezy packs of the spread.
Explaining that brewer’s yeast was in short supply, the company confirmed that stock levels were being affected, adding: “As a temporary measure we have stopped production of all sizes apart from our 250g size jar which is available in most major retailers.”
The great debate
Some anti-Marmite Twitter users were raising a toast after hearing about the sticky situation. It’s said that for generations, South Africans have been debating which is the superior spread – Marmite or Bovril? The argument starts at dinner tables and is continued around braais and on social media as both sides battle out the virtues of one over the other. Some families keep both in the kitchen cupboard next to the peanut butter, while others would never even consider buying the one black jar instead of the other.
Some facts about Marmite
Marmite is very good for you as it is stuffed full of B vitamins, including, niacin, riboflavin and thiamine, as well as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron and selenium, all of which are essential for good health. It’s also particularly good for pregnant people and if you’re trying to watch your weight, Marmite is very low in calories. In each recommended 8g portion of Marmite, there’s only 22 calories and less than 0.5g of fat.
