UK preparing for food shortages in weeks as secret government plans revealed

Chicken and pork soon in short supply

Currently, the Strait of Hormuz, which is the key oil trade waterway, is blocked by Iran and patrolled by the US Navy, which is turning Iran's shipping back.

There is now the prospect of hostilities returning, as the latest peace deal talks have collapsed with a two-week ceasefire ending on April 22.

There are now mounting fears that Iran’s proxy force, the Houthis in Yemen could become involved and further obstruct shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.

This waterway which is a vital link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Meanwhile, the biggest concern is that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could trigger shortages of carbon dioxide, which is essential to the food industry.

It has been suggested that chicken and pork are amongst the items that could be in short supply.

According to indications from officials, while critical food supply shortages are not anticipated, it could affect the range of products available on supermarket shelves.

Senior officials, including those from No 10, the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence, have secretly rehearsed scenarios examining the potential impact on British industry in an event codenamed "Exercise Turnstone", as per The Times.

The Mirror reports that the scenario prepared for the session was set in June 2026 and assumed that the strait had not reopened and a permanent peace deal had not been reached.

The industries likely to be affected earliest and most severely are farming and hospitality, as CO2 is used to help extend the shelf life of food.

And as the gas is used to carbonate drinks, breweries would also be impacted.

“We took decisive action last month to shore up the UK's critical supplies of CO2 by temporarily restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside and are continuing to work closely with business groups to tackle the impacts of events in the Middle East”, a government spokesman said.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the public should be “reassured” that ministers are making contingency plans for the impact of the Iran war.

Kyle told Times Radio the government did not comment on leaks, but he added: “It is difficult for me, because, of course, these leaks are very unhelpful.”