"War in Ukraine sparks surge in food stockpiling"

Customers race to buy tinned tomatoes, tea and pasta as threat of conflict looms



Shoppers raced to stockpile tinned tomatoes, pasta, tea, coffee and paracetamol last month amid fears that the Russian invasion of Ukraine could spark a war across Europe.

More than a third of consumers stocked up on everyday items such as canned tomatoes, dried pasta, lavatory paper and paracetamol last month, according to research by Barclaycard.

The behaviour mirrors panic-buying at the beginning of the pandemic when customers flocked to supermarkets to buy essentials.

Around 35pc of people surveyed by Barclaycard admitted to stocking up on essentials including tinned and dried goods, as well as cleaning products and other household items.

Barclaycard said that overall spending on essential items was up 18pc on March 2019, before the pandemic struck.

Meanwhile, two fifths of drivers said they are trying to use their cars less to beat higher petrol costs, for example by walking more often or cycling.

The war in Ukraine is also having an impact on goods available on the shelves. Last week Waitrose started to ration the number of bottles of cooking oil shoppers could buy amid shortages of sunflower oil from the country, its largest exporter.

José Carvalho, of Barclaycard, said: “Many sectors saw strong growth in March compared to the same period in 2019, as sunnier weather encouraged Britons to socialise at pubs and bars, book staycations and update their wardrobes for spring and summer.

“However, rising fuel prices and household bills are clearly starting to influence consumer behaviour, with many changing their travel and shopping habits to save money.”

Customers race to buy tinned tomatoes, tea and pasta as threat of conflict looms

Can't say I noticed?

The greater public are stupid. Let them carry on.