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Weetabix supplies hit by dismal harvest Weetabix supplies hit by dismal harvest
(5 months later)
Last year's disastrous summer has forced Weetabix to halt production of some of its most popular lines, after the company exhausted its supply of high quality British wheat following what it described as the worst harvest in decades.Last year's disastrous summer has forced Weetabix to halt production of some of its most popular lines, after the company exhausted its supply of high quality British wheat following what it described as the worst harvest in decades.
Weetabix said it had been forced to stop making Weetabix Minis and Oatibix Bites because last year's cold and wet summer had devastated the UK harvest.Weetabix said it had been forced to stop making Weetabix Minis and Oatibix Bites because last year's cold and wet summer had devastated the UK harvest.
The company, which is committed to using only British wheat, said many shops had "completely run out" of some Weetabix varieties. "The shops don't have them," a spokesman said. "There will be a shortage of these products for some time."The company, which is committed to using only British wheat, said many shops had "completely run out" of some Weetabix varieties. "The shops don't have them," a spokesman said. "There will be a shortage of these products for some time."
Production of the affected lines at Weetabix's factory in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, was halted more than two weeks ago after it had difficulty making good enough Weetabix with poorer quality wheat from last year's harvest. The problem does not affect traditional Weetabix.Production of the affected lines at Weetabix's factory in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, was halted more than two weeks ago after it had difficulty making good enough Weetabix with poorer quality wheat from last year's harvest. The problem does not affect traditional Weetabix.
In order to restart production, Weetabix, which was taken over by a Chinese state-owned company last year, has ordered in more wheat from overseas.In order to restart production, Weetabix, which was taken over by a Chinese state-owned company last year, has ordered in more wheat from overseas.
"Normally they're proud to claim Weetabix is not just British wheat but from within 50 miles of Burton Latimer," the spokesman said. "They have had to source a bit from outside the UK, but Weetabix is still proud to say it sources its wheat within the UK … weather permitting.""Normally they're proud to claim Weetabix is not just British wheat but from within 50 miles of Burton Latimer," the spokesman said. "They have had to source a bit from outside the UK, but Weetabix is still proud to say it sources its wheat within the UK … weather permitting."
He warned production would not restart for at least two weeks, but said the company was working on adapting its processes to the less high quality wheat available.He warned production would not restart for at least two weeks, but said the company was working on adapting its processes to the less high quality wheat available.
Weetabix's problems come three months after Hovis, one of the country's biggest selling bread brands, abandoned its pledge to use 100% British wheat.Weetabix's problems come three months after Hovis, one of the country's biggest selling bread brands, abandoned its pledge to use 100% British wheat.
Flour mills have been forced to order the biggest wheat imports in more than 30 years following last year's poor harvest. The wettest summer since 1912 saw wheat productivity plummet back to 1980s levels.Flour mills have been forced to order the biggest wheat imports in more than 30 years following last year's poor harvest. The wettest summer since 1912 saw wheat productivity plummet back to 1980s levels.
Charlotte Garbutt, an analyst at the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), a trade body, said the UK is expected to import 2.3m tonnes of wheat this year – the most since the 1980s.Charlotte Garbutt, an analyst at the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA), a trade body, said the UK is expected to import 2.3m tonnes of wheat this year – the most since the 1980s.
She said the UK was normally a net exporter of wheat but "last summer was very wet and very cold, leading to 13% lower yield or more than 2m tonnes down on the previous year". Yield and quality were the worst for several decades, she added.She said the UK was normally a net exporter of wheat but "last summer was very wet and very cold, leading to 13% lower yield or more than 2m tonnes down on the previous year". Yield and quality were the worst for several decades, she added.
Garbutt said that while the reduced yield was a problem, the quality crisis was a bigger issue. "For bread and breakfast cereals you need good quality grain for particular purposes. After such a severe year, it's been hard for them to get hold of enough of it."Garbutt said that while the reduced yield was a problem, the quality crisis was a bigger issue. "For bread and breakfast cereals you need good quality grain for particular purposes. After such a severe year, it's been hard for them to get hold of enough of it."
Consumers took to Twitter to mourn the lack of the breakfast cereals. Alexander Rowland (@drapiroh) said: "NOOOOO SOCIETY WILL CRUMBLE! Britain's disastrous wheat harvest halts production of Weetabix Minis and Oatibix Bites."Consumers took to Twitter to mourn the lack of the breakfast cereals. Alexander Rowland (@drapiroh) said: "NOOOOO SOCIETY WILL CRUMBLE! Britain's disastrous wheat harvest halts production of Weetabix Minis and Oatibix Bites."
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