The local supermarkets in Calgary (CO-OP, Safeway, Superstore and Walmart) haven't had Marmite in stock for weeks. Covid interrupted supply chain or something else going on?

Yep, we have noticed the same thing, think I’m going to have to ask Our man at Safeway’s in Cochrane if I see him. He always has answers to the Marmite supply!

Anyone else noticed that there is no longer caffeine free Diet Coke anymore? I kinda guessed they stopped making it. I mean, it’s chemically crap but I love it.

Marmite is an issue here too. Luckily, while other people were hauling away truck loads of bog roll, I went for the black spread.

Yes, blame Covid, Marmite is made from yeast, byproduct of the brewing industry, with pubs closed sales of beer have plummeted and so yeast prosuction has been hit less yeast less for the Marmite, Bovril etc makers.

Errk! I hadn't thought of that. Makes sense. I recall listening to a radio 4 prog a month or two ago saying that there were something like 8 million pints in shuttered pubs that needed disposing of. For the brewers the issue was that they pay duty at source so had paid duty on the pints and needed to recover if the beer was destroyed. Since retrieving barrels of beer is a two person job (drayman + assistant) at that time lock down rules made it impossible.

We have some marmite reserves (I used to buy it everytime I went to UK & that was, precovid several times a year) but I might see if the local Loblaws has some and buy as a precaution!

Yes, I recall reading something like that but I hoped it wouldn't affect us over here on the basis it would affect stocks well into the future.

I can't really tell if it's in short supply here as I'm not in the stores that sell it. The Instacart shoppers don't know what it is. One of them did and bought me a pot (after I emphasised it might be top shelf and out of sight) and that made me less inclined to believe they really had sold out all the other times especially as now it is actually coming up as out of stock on the ordering page.

The BBC reported in June was that things would "soon be back to normal". Perhaps the shipping time for sending bulk groceries across the Atlantic has meant the Marmite famine has not yet been relieved in Canada.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=marmite+yeast+extract&i=grocery&crid=19MR6I0UDP011&sprefix=marmite+ye%2Cgrocery%2C168&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_10 in stock - even in 600g tubs! and 2-4 packs of 250g jars - or a 400g squeezy - and even individual portions (as well as the normal size)

Tubs are a heresy, and "squeezy" is just an abomination.

If it's not in a very dark brown, round glass jar, it isn't marmite!

I have to agree.. the perfection personified is that jar indeed..... but needs must if there's no alternative - perhaps buy a tub and refill all the little marmite jars you have saved (ok, not everyone saves the jars to obtain that last little bit by swishing boiling water around and using it to add extra flavour to the home made french onion soup, I realise this )

OK, I can agree with that - desperate times* need deperate measures.

* Of course I'm talking about the Marmite famine, not that silly little coronavirus pandemic!

There are a couple issues soda companies are running into which is reducing supply and their ability to manufacture their entire product line.

https://www.khou.com/article/money/c...f-e9be8554c138

Not just soda makers either facing this challenge, add to it earlier in the year there was also a shortage of artificial sweeteners due to supply chain issues.

And there was a shortage of food grade CO2 for a bit this year but that seems to be easing up and may no longer be an issue.

Have you tried Vegemite?

Yes..

The old Marmite v Vegemite; I guess it's a matter of taste.