Supermarket shelves could be empty for months due to a 'collapse' in the supply chain, according to a fresh warning.
Shoppers reported low stock and essential items missing in stores across Scotland causing speculation over the impact of a mixture of Brexit and the 'pingdemic'.
Industry bosses have now warned empty shelves could continue if the current staff crisis isn't solved.
Richard Burnett, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme,: "In the next two to three weeks we are facing a collapse of the supply chain meaning even bigger gaps on supermarket shelves.
"We already have hauliers unable to move goods on a daily basis and we’re now facing a perfect storm."
There has recently been a lack of HGV drivers - caused by a combination of coronavirus and Brexit - which Tesco says is creating 48 tonnes of food waste each week as fresh goods are being left to rot.
Supermarket workers have also been forced to self-isolate during the so-called 'pingdemic'.
But shoppers have been urged not to panic buy despite the limited amount of stock in some supermarket stores and branches in recent days.
Mr Burnett added: "This is a crisis on a scale we have never seen before in this industry and the Government is burying its head in the sand. It is not recognising the seriousness."
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl are just some of the stores that have responded to the complaints from customers, with supply shortages being caused by a mixture of circumstances.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen travel become extremely restricted, and haulage companies say European drivers have simply decided not to return to the UK due to Covid-19 and Brexit.
There is also understood to be a large backlog in HGV driver tests, again because of the pandemic, meaning it's been harder to get new drivers on the road.
Finally, the reopening of shops means there is an increase in demand for some goods, which is adding to the need for drivers and deliveries.
More recently, there has also been rising numbers of staff - including manufacturers in factories and HGV drivers - having to stay home after being told to self-isolate.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has acknowledged industry-wide problems but said stores are working closely with suppliers so customers can still buy what they need.
