What's behind the Marmite shortage?

Worldwide Marmite supplies have dwindled due to coronavirus restrictions closing breweries. In South Africa, consumers noticed shortages of the yeast-derived spread at the beginning of the pandemic, The Economist reports. When the country banned alcohol sales in an attempt to free up hospital beds from potential drink-related accidents, major breweries slowed production. As a result, the amount of brewer’s yeast – the by-product that is the main ingredient of Marmite – fell. But a supply chain hiccup is also to blame. Pioneer Foods, the local manufacturer, reportedly said that production had reduced because of a shortage of sodium carbonate, which is used to make the spread.