Grains, rice and lentils in high demand: EHL tackles delays and shortages from China

01 Apr 2020 --- UK-based supplier of herbs, spices and dried goods, EHL Ingredients has noted a shift in demand for its products, which it supplies under its Lähde brand, during the coronavirus pandemic. According to Managing Director, Tasneem Alonzo, in the past week, there has been a sharp rise in kitchen cupboard staple products such as rice, flours, lentils, grains and bakery ingredients which have been shipped out to retailers and manufacturers across the country. EHL is also anticipating a shortage of products from China including garlic, ginger and sunflower seeds, but the company is “working hard to fulfil orders with our customers and to keep prices stable,” Alonzo tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

“During the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, we have been dispatching larger quantities of our ingredients to food retailers, manufacturers, packers and wholesalers,” Alonzo explains. “We are in extraordinary and unprecedented times, and during a time when we would usually be supplying ingredients such as dried fruits for Easter products and spice blends and marinades for BBQ foods, we are seeing an increase in sales for kitchen cupboard staples,” she continues.

In light of the surging number of nationwide lockdowns and border restrictions spanning the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia’s F&B industries are growing increasingly concerned about food security. 

“We are aiming to fulfil as many orders as we can, but with reduced staff numbers across our sites and slower delivery times, some of our customers may experience delays,” Alonzo explains.

Restrictions on the movement of people, goods, services and containment measures, such as factory closures, due to COVID-19 have cut manufacturing and domestic demand sharply in China, previously reported by FoodIngredientsFirst. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts forecast that the global clampdown on the circulation of goods and citizen’s mobility will continue to weigh down upon world markets, should they persist. 

Meanwhile, Alonzo stresses that retailers and food manufacturers may reduce orders for non-essentials items, and secure more supplies of store cupboard necessities, lentils and kidney beans, popular spice blends and dried herbs including coriander and oregano. 

“Sales of non-essential ingredients will likely pick back up once retailers have replenished their supplies of store cupboard essentials and shopping habits turn to Easter foods. We are in extraordinary times and it’s difficult to predict exactly how the situation will pan out. We will continue to fulfil our orders and will work with our supplier network to ensure manageable, consistent stock levels,” Alonzo continues. “If we cannot get hold of certain ingredients from one country, we have contacts and reliable suppliers in other regions who we will work with to meet our customer requirements.”

Panic buying to level out
Panic buying and stockpiling food products has been disrupting the food supply in the UK over recent weeks and empty shelves in supermarkets have become a disappointing but common sight. Despite the pledge that the coronavirus crisis poses little threat to the integrity of the food supply and a package of measures from UK retailers to ensure and even boost supply, panic-buying has been particularly rife in the UK causing massive disruption. 

While there has been panic buying of many dried goods and food ingredients, Alonzo does  expect this to level out over the coming weeks. “Food producers and manufacturers will certainly need to review their current supplies and order ingredients to cover customer orders as the UK’s lockdown continues,” she comments. 

“We are indeed expecting there to be fluctuations in demand and for now, we have plenty of supplies to fulfil our orders. Sadly, many of our foodservice customers have cancelled orders so we do have stocks of many ingredients that food producers, manufacturers and retailers may require.”

Consumers need food and under these circumstances EHL expects to see manufacturers and factories reduce their ranges and rationalize the quantity of products they produce, to focus on a few best-selling lines and standard dishes that are likely to be in demand by shoppers. 

EHL stocks over 300 dried herbs and spices, blends and seasonings, chillies, seeds, beans and pulses, dried fruits and nuts, dehydrated vegetables, oils, oats, flours, salt and sugars. 

“UK consumers are doing a lot more baking and cooking from scratch. Herbs and spices such as oregano, coriander, paprika, dried garlic and onion powder are heavily used in the food industry in prepared foods, but we are also seeing consumers stock up on these as store cupboard essentials for homemade dishes,” Alonzo elaborates. 

It seems pizza and pasta are the leading foods consumers are making, as well as sweet bakery and breads, according to Alonzo. “Celebrity chefs and bloggers are sharing recipes using staple ingredients that consumers are likely to have in their cupboards already so it’s wise for shoppers to purchase versatile food ingredients that suit a variety of dishes,” she concludes. 

By Elizabeth Green