Fears of toilet roll shortages AGAIN as manufacturers warn of rising costs

Andrew Large, director-general at the Confederation of Paper Industries, said its members are being “affected very, very severely” by the cost increases and may be forced to reduce production

Fears have been raised of another UK toilet roll shortage as manufacturers warn of the knock-on effect of rising costs.

The soaring price of gas may mean firms have to restrict production within weeks.

Andrew Large, director-general at the Confederation of Paper Industries, said its members are being “affected very, very severely” by the cost increases.

Toilet roll and food packaging are among the items that could be hit hardest, he said.

Mr Large said: “They’re seeing their costs go up through the roof.

“It’s damaging their profitability and in some cases it’s causing them to manage their production rates so as not to expose themselves to the very, very highest costs.”

A toilet roll shortage would be an eerie flashback to the start of lockdown in early 2020 where panic buyers stripped supermarket shelves bare.

Stores such as Tesco had to ration goods like flour, dried pasta, toilet roll, baby wipes and anti-bacterial wipes so that there was enough to go around.

The warning of the knock-on effect of gas prices comes after it was warned yesterday how surging energy prices could send Brits’ annual bills past £2,000 for the first time.

The increase is being caused by the price of wholesale gas hitting record highs around the globe as economies emerge from the Covid crisis.

Gas stocks have already been depleted following a cold winter in Europe, while demand for liquefied natural gas from Asia has been in high demand.

A reduction in supplies from Russia has also been blamed for the price rise.

Prices did drop this week after Russia president Vladimir Putin appeared to calm the market by saying Russia could increase production.

Last week, industry experts warned how supermarkets could run out of meat because of a drop off in gas supplies.

The shortage could particularly impact pork and chicken, as 80% of pigs and poultry are slaughtered using carbon dioxide.

Fertiliser plants have also closed down due to the rising cost of energy.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, told the Sky News at the end of last month: “My members are saying anything between five, 10 and 15 days supply (remain).

“The animals have to stay on farm. They’ll cause farmers on the farm huge animal welfare problems and British pork and British poultry will disappear off the shelves.”

Meanwhile, the British Soft Drinks Association warned some manufacturers may be unable to keep producing fizzy drinks.

It comes after petrol stations up and down the country were forced to shut after being run dry of fuel.