The UK could see gaps on supermarket shelves this summer if the Iran conflict persists, potentially disrupting supplies of carbon dioxide (CO2) essential for chicken, pork, and fizzy drinks. Government ministers are drafting contingency plans for a 'reasonable worst-case scenario' should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed, impacting CO2 imports.
Officials from No 10, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Defence have conducted Exercise Turnstone, a planning operation rehearsing scenarios of a prolonged strait closure. The Cobra emergency committee's exercise, reported by the Times, assumed multiple disruptions, including the strait closed until June, no permanent US-Iran peace deal, and a mechanical failure at a key UK CO2 plant.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle downplayed concerns, calling the leak 'unhelpful' and reassuring the public that contingency planning is routine. He noted that CO2 supplies are 'not a concern' for the UK economy, citing a £100m investment to restart the Ensus bioethanol plant on Teesside to bolster resilience.
Tesco CEO Ken Murphy stated the retailer has seen no CO2-related supply chain issues, with no suppliers flagging problems. He praised the government's planning but noted that recent supply chain disruptions were mainly due to poor weather in Spain and North Africa, which Tesco managed through flexible sourcing.
CO2 is critical for humane livestock slaughter, food packaging, fizzy drinks, beer, and refrigeration. Shortages could hit breweries ahead of the football World Cup starting 11 June. The gas is also vital for surgical procedures, MRI scans, and cooling nuclear plants.
A government spokesperson emphasised that 'reasonable worst-case scenarios are a planning tool, not a prediction.' The UK, one of Europe's largest CO2 users, is working with businesses to mitigate Middle East impacts.
