Global manufacturer Mars Inc has reportedly paused the supply of two of its pet care brands to Tesco, due to a dispute over the supplier’s price rises.
The manufacturer’s Whiskas and Pedigree brands have been affected by the action, though Mars Inc has confirmed its chocolate and confectionery products will remain on Tesco’s shelves.
Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson for Tesco apologised to customers on the limited availability of the branded products, stating that the company hoped to have the issue resolved soon.
They said: “With household budgets under increasing pressure, now more than ever we have a responsibility to ensure customers get the best possible value, and we will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to them.”
The news comes after Kraft Heinz announced it has temporarily stopped supplying Tesco with some of its products in a similar dispute over pricing. Ketchup, baked beans and tomato soup are among the various products reported to be missing from shelves in certain Tesco stores.
Kraft Heinz said that its production costs were rising but that it was working with Tesco to resolve the situation quickly.
