Ongoing lorry driver shortage means wine could be off the table this Christmas - here's why

The latest product to struggle to make it to shelves in time for Christmas could be wine, the boss of international wine business Accolade - which makes Hardys and Echo Falls - has said.

Robert Foye has warned that shortages in the number of truck drivers “could definitely impact Christmas”, and that the fate of wine drinkers’ festive seasons lies in the hands of “the entire transport and trucking industry in the UK.”

Speaking to the BBC’s Talking Business programme, Foye said: “We are trying to get ahead of it. The only way we can mitigate this is if we work very closely with our trucking and transport suppliers and our customers.

“We have done some of that and are managing well so far, but ultimately costs will go up.”

Here is everything you need to know about it.

What’s going on?

Alongside issues in a number of other key sectors, a massive shortfall in lorry drivers is contributing to significant supply chain issues across the UK’s economy.

Some sectors have been experiencing difficulties for several months, but the issue seems to have become particularly acute in recent weeks, with a number of retailers announcing shortages of goods.

The bosses of Tesco and Iceland have both warned of big shortages, while the British Meat Processors Association warned that labour shortages could lead to a shortage of pigs in blankets over the holidays.

In late August, McDonald’s announced its milkshakes were temporarily no longer available in England, Scotland and Wales, while restaurant chain Nando’s has been among others in the sector facing shortages.

How bad is the shortage?