The top wine distribution company in the United Kingdom is warning Brits about a potential wine shortage for the Christmas holidays due to the company’s inability to hire truck, um, lorry drivers, the BBC reports.
Accolade, the top winemaker in the UK, has warned that the shortage of truck drivers for itself and its suppliers jeopardize the company’s ability to fulfill orders in the future, but noted they’re trying to fill slots now for the upcoming holiday season.
“These shortages, if they continue, could definitely impact Christmas. We are trying to get ahead of it, but it does depend on the situation for the entire transport and trucking industry in the UK,” Robert Foye, Accolade CEO, said.
Britain’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) estimates there is a shortage of about 100,000 drivers in the country. The shortage has meant that a number of chains and supermarkets have had to cut back on offerings due to strains in the supply chain.
“Staff shortages are definitely there and there’s a whole new group of employees that need to be trained, from truck drivers to restaurant staff,” Foye stated, noting that the problems could result in higher prices to customers.