IRN-BRU is the latest well loved brand to be facing shortages due to supply chain issues, according to a new report.
AG Barr, the parent company based in Cumbernauld which produces Scotland’s “other national drink”, said it was experiencing issues “like lots of other businesses”.
McDonald’s hit the headlines recently after all of its Scottish restaurants ran out of milkshakes.
Other fast-food firms including Nando’s, KFC, and Greggs have reported shortages of popular chicken-based menu items.
Avara Foods, one of the UK’s largest poultry suppliers, made clear that the issue facing their business was “a result of Brexit” and not the pandemic.
AG Barr told Glasgow Live that their firm is facing "increased challenges … impacting customer deliveries and inbound materials".
The spokesperson added: "Like lots of businesses we're experiencing some issues associated with driver shortages across the UK.
READ MORE: Wetherspoons faces beer shortages as Brexit impacts on supply chains
"In Scotland we are able to use more of our own fleet and our dedicated team across our supply chain is working hard to make sure the Bru gets through."
Problems with “inbound materials” have also impacted on fellow fizzy drink vendor Coca-Cola.
The multinational’s bottling business for the UK and Europe said on Thursday that its supply chain has come under pressure from a “shortage of aluminium cans”.
It comes as social media users have highlighted a scarcity of Diet Coke and Coke Zero products in recent weeks.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) said that it has faced “a number of logistics challenges” recently, including pressure on HGV driver numbers, but said it has continued to deliver “extremely high service levels”.
Nik Jhangiani, chief financial officer of CCEP, told the PA news agency: “Supply chain management has become the most important aspect following the pandemic, to ensure we have continuity for customers.
“We are very happy with how we have performed in the circumstances, with service levels higher than a lot of our market competitors.
“There are still logistical challenges and issues though, as with every sector, and the shortage of aluminium cans is a key one for us now, but we are working with customers to successfully manage this.”
READ MORE: Greggs, KFC, Costa, Tesco: All the places facing problems with food shortages
Bottled drinks supplies across UK retail have also been particularly impacted by HGV driver shortages in recent weeks, with McDonalds unable to stock bottled soft drinks recently across some stores.
Blame for driver shortages has been laid squarely at the feet of the Tories’ Brexit by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
Rod McKenzie, the RHA’s managing director of policy and public affairs, previously told CNN that around one-fifth of the 100,000 shortfall in truck drivers across the UK was directly due to EU nationals leaving after Brexit.
"If the 'pingdemic' hadn't happened, we'd still be in trouble,” he added.
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