MILLIONS of shoppers could be hit with honey shortages – BUT consumers are urged not to panic buy

MILLIONS of shoppers could be hit with honey shortages next year due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, suppliers have warned.

Ukraine produces around a third of Europe’s imports of the sweet spread, which depends on the production of sunflowers.

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Together, Russia and Ukraine produce 80% of the world’s sunflower exports – it’s why there’s also been a shortage of cooking oil in recent weeks.

The ongoing war between the two nations has restricted supplies, but also led to farmers in Ukraine reducing the amount of crops they are growing too, according to The Grocer.

This has led some countries to stockpile honey supplies which has created a global shortage and rising prices.

UK consumers are being urged not to panic buy or stockpile honey following the news.

What other costs has the war pushed up?

There are a number of other products which have suffered shortages due to the ongoing Ukrainian war.

Last month, The National Federation of Fish Friers warned that up to “a third” of fish and chip shops could close due to food shortages.

Supply of the four key ingredients used to make the traditional dinner – oil, fish, potatoes and flour – were all under threat.

In April, shoppers were hit with rationing on sunflower oil in supermarkets including Morrisons and Iceland.

Morrisons, Waitrose and Iceland put buying limits on sunflower oil in place due to the shortages.

The ongoing Ukrainian war has had a negative impact on energy prices as well.

Russia is one of the world’s largest oil producers, supplying Europe with around 40% of its gas.

Britain only imports around 3% of it’s gas from Russia, but the UK relies on pipelines running through Belarus, Poland and the Ukraine.

Sanctions imposed on Russia since the start of the war are driving up the prices of fuel, which has seen petrol costs reach “unbelievable” levels in recent weeks.

In April, Britain pledged to ban all Kremlin coal imports by the end of the year.

Canned goods, beer and biscuits and bread could all rise in price due to the knock-on effects of the war as well.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk