UK's tea crisis: Pirate attacks force shipping detour, causing nationwide shortages

We have written numerous times about the Houthi fighters. These terrorists, who openly side with Iran, launch attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Their hostility also extends to the civilization of the Western world.

Until now, goods from Asia and East Africa were transported by sea through the Suez Canal to reach Europe. Ships ferrying tea from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya, which together comprise about 3/4 of the world's tea production, had to traverse the Red Sea.

The Houthis currently "rule" the waters of the Red Sea. The consequence of their actions is a major disruption of intercontinental maritime transport to Europe.

With the intensity of the Houthi pirate situation, shipowners have been pushed to divert all traffic around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. However, this route is not just safer but also longer. Ships on this route spend an average of two weeks more than they would through the Suez Canal.

This has had a considerable impact, notably on tea deliveries to the UK. The result? There is a burgeoning deficit in stores.

"We are experiencing issues with deliveries, which include nationwide black tea deliveries. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to return to delivering fully soon," said Sainsbury's in response to Sky News reporters' query.

But the situation is dire. The UK residents are avid tea lovers, after all. The UK Tea & Infusions Association states that about 100 million cups of this beverage are consumed daily. That equates to nearly 36 billion annually.

"Some black tea types are experiencing temporary delivery disruptions, but consumers shouldn't expect significant consequences as retailers don't expect large disruptions in supply," reassures Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainable Development at the British Retail Consortium.