CO2 shortages could become a problem in the run-up to Christmas, with some food stock running low, the managing director of Iceland has warned.
Richard Walker told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that suppliers who are looking at some of the stock they hold and their just-in-time chains are suggesting this "could become a problem over the coming days and weeks".
He said: "This is not an issue that is months away, that is for sure.
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"We are building up our stocks on key lines like frozen meat just to make sure we can deal with any unforeseen issue.
"At the moment we are fully stocked and our suppliers are OK, but we do need this sorted as quickly as possible."
A sharp rise in gas prices has meant two large fertiliser plants in Teesside and Cheshire – which produce CO2 as a by-product – have shut, cutting supply to the food industry.
Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, says this, combined with a shortage of workers, will affect the supply of turkeys for Christmas.
CO2 is essential to the humane slaughter of livestock, extends the shelf-life of products and is vital to cooling systems for refrigeration purposes, industry leaders have said.
Mr Boparan said: "There are less than 100 days left until Christmas and Bernard Matthews and my other poultry businesses are working harder than ever before to try and recruit people to maintain food supplies.
"Nothing has fundamentally changed since I spoke about this issue in July. In fact, I take no pleasure in pointing out that the gaps on the shelves I warned about then are getting bigger by the day.
"The supply of Bernard Matthews turkeys this Christmas was already compromised as I need to find 1,000 extra workers to process supplies. Now with no CO2 supply, Christmas will be cancelled.
"The CO2 issue is a massive body blow and puts us at breaking point, it really does – that’s poultry, beef, pork, as well as the wider food industry.
"Without CO2, the bottom line is there is less throughput and with our sector already compromised with lack of labour, this potentially tips us over the edge."
Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said the rise in wholesale gas prices – and the linked impact on food production – was due to the emergence from the pandemic.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said: "Because the global economy is kind of waking up from this hiatus imposed upon us by Covid, we’re suddenly seeing a surge in demand and therefore surging gas prices that has affected all kinds of parts of the economy, it has had an impact on food production and we are looking to ensure that we protect those food suppliers."
Mr Cleverly added: "We’ll continue working with the sector to ensure that there is food on the table and gas in the pipes and that will remain a priority for Government."
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