Food UK: panic buying drives food purchases up by 50%

In response to panic buying sparked by the coronavirus, British food manufacturers are boosting production.

The news was revealed by George Eustice, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at a press conference on 21 March, noting that the food industry has increased production by up to 50% in the last three weeks.

“We estimate that around £1 billion worth of additional food has been put into households that has not yet been consumed,” said Eustice. “The decision to close pubs and restaurants means there is surplus delivery capacity and staff with expertise in food who could be redeployed from those companies to the retail sector,” he added.