KFC and Nando's chicken shortage 'crisis' caused by 'Brexit' poultry chief claims

19 August 2021, 09:18

Ministers say they're looking at ways to help the sector recruit more domestic labour
Ministers say they're looking at ways to help the sector recruit more domestic labour. Picture: Alamy
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

A shortage of chicken, which forced restaurants like Nando's and KFC to close or change their menu, is being blamed on Brexit.

The head of the British Poultry Council said shortages of workers are causing issues and called on the government to fast-track visas for people coming to work in the industry.

Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, also blamed worker shortages following Brexit for the issues the industry is currently facing.

Read more: Nando's temporarily closes restaurants across UK after running out of chicken

"When you don't have people, you have a problem - and this is something we are seeing across the whole supply chain. The labour crisis is a Brexit issue," Mr Griffiths said.

Nando's said: "The UK supply chain is having a bit of a 'mare' right now.

"This is having a knock-on effect with some of our restaurants across England, Scotland and Wales.

"We are doing everything we can to get the peri-peri back where it belongs - on your plates!"

Ministers say they're looking at ways to help the sector recruit more domestic labour.

The chicken shortage, comes after rival restaurant KFC also reported supply issues.

Mr Griffiths warned that many members of his association were being forced to "cut back weekly chicken production by 5-10%, year-round turkey production by 10% and Christmas turkey production to be cut by 20%."

He added his members "are currently producing a reduced range of products for UK customers and are seriously concerned that the supply of staple chicken products will be impacted."

Adding this was caused by "labour shortages," he warned, "UK food security will be hit with a double whammy of food inflation and being forced to rely on more imported food."

"This can only lead to a 2-tier food system where high-quality British food may be out of reach for struggling consumers,” he warned.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Usman Alam

Not smiling anymore! Grinning drug dealer who posed at cannabis farm jailed

David Lammy

Foreign Secretary to meet US officials in Washington as Trump mulls over strikes against Iran

Heavy rush hour traffic on M25 motorway in Surrey

99% of UK population breathing in toxic air as 30,000 deaths to be linked in 2025

One in five academics on both sides of the political spectrum do not feel free to teach controversial topics, a survey has found as England's higher education watchdog issued guidance on how institutions can protect freedom of speech.

20% of UK academies do not feel free to teach controversial topics, as new report issues guidance on free speech

Older people say they are being "bombarded" by campaigns for funeral services, care homes and mobility aids by "out-of-touch" mainstream advertising, a study has found.

Older people being ‘bombarded’ by ads for funeral services and care homes by ‘out-of-touch’ marketing firms

Steam and exhaust rise from different companies on a cold winter day.

UN scientists warn it is ‘crunch time’ to avoid further global warming as climate policies ‘moving in wrong direction’

Exclusive
Waste water flows out of an outflow waste water pipe into the river in Devon UK

Water company fines will be used to clean up rivers, lakes and seas, government confirms

Energy bill discounts of £150 will be extended to another 2.7 million households to help with fuel costs next winter.

Millions more households to get £150 energy bill discounts as government extends scheme to help with fuel costs

‘I like to make decisions at the last second': Trump continues to mull US strike but suggests Iran could visit White House

‘I like to decide at the last second': Trump continues to mull US strike but suggests Iran could visit White House

A bag from Primark, found in the Weija Ashbread landfill, an older textile dump site sited on the Densu river, upriver from the protected wetlands, outside Accra, Ghana.

'This is dangerous': Discarded clothes from UK brands including Next, Asda and M&S found in protected Ghana wetlands

School crossing lollipop sign

Lollipop man ordered to stop high-fiving crossing children

Dame Diana Johnson said “there is absolutely no place for violent, misogynistic and harmful content online”, after several MPs urged the Government to expand the definition of “extreme pornographic images”.

‘No place for violent content online,’ says policing minister in pornography ban pledge

Missing Jay Slater witness found 'holidaying' in Tenerife as inquest hears Jay, 19, died with alcohol in his system

Friend of missing Jay Slater witness reveals details of 'two knives' carried by teen on the night he died in Tenerife

Devastating new footage has emerged showing the lone survivor of the Air India plane crash carrying the coffin of his younger brother, who died in the fatal disaster.

New video shows heartbreaking moment lone Air India survivor limps as he carries brother’s coffin at funeral

Claire Boyd underwent surgery in a bid to address a long history of abdominal pain

Family walks out of inquest after coroner rejects malnutrition in hospital death

Inquests into the deaths of the women, who were both born in Pakistan but lived in Maltsby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, were opened on Wednesday.

Sisters drown in pools on popular Snowdonia route, inquest told