Wood-based Cat Litter Shortage in the UK: Is There Still a Problem?

Wood-based Cat Litter Shortage in the UK: Is There Still a Problem?

23 June 2022

Is there a cat litter shortage still affecting the UK’s pet owners? The nation has been grappling with a scarcity of wood-based cat litter, influenced by a complex blend of rising energy costs, the Ukraine crisis, and ongoing impacts of Brexit.

Initially, in late 2019, a national cat litter shortage struck supermarkets after the manufacturer Bob Martin went into administration. This led consumers to resort to more expensive premium brands. Today, the situation remains tense as the crisis in Ukraine and the fluctuating post-Brexit economic landscape continue to disrupt supply chains.

Why Is There a Wood-based Cat Litter Shortage?

But why has the Ukraine crisis led to this?

One of the knock-on effects of the Ukraine crisis is that wood pellets are no longer being imported into the UK – that means no pellets from Russia or Belarus are arriving… that’s a shortfall of around 3.3 million tonnes throughout the EU and UK.

This sudden loss of volumes means that the cat litter market is having to source alternative supplies of wood-based cat litter.

Kittilitt’s Sustainable Solution to the Cat Litter Shortage

Kittilitt makes its own wood-based cat litter. We source all of our raw materials locally – within 60 miles of the factory, so our local supply chain is secure.

We carry the certification badge of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere – the only globally-recognised badge for sustainability, and we have the lowest CO2 emissions of any producer in the UK.

So while the wood-based cat litter shortage continues you can be reassured that Kittilitt will continue to supply to all of its customers across the UK.

Consumer Reactions and Supermarket Responses

The cat litter shortage has sparked significant public discourse, with many taking to social media to express their concerns. Here are a few noteworthy reactions:

  • A Tesco shopper queried: “Is there a national shortage of wood-based cat litter? Are you experiencing issues with the supplier? When can we expect a restock in Gateshead? My cats are very fussy.”
  • Another frustrated owner remarked: “Why are supermarket shelves empty of wood-based cat litter? I can’t afford double-price alternatives.”
  • From Sainsbury’s to Morrisons, customers have voiced their needs: “What’s happening with cat litter? I desperately need some, and my store hasn’t had any since before Christmas.”

Both Asda and Tesco have acknowledged the supply issues, with Tesco assuring that they are ‘working hard to resolve this,’ and Sainsbury’s apologising for the inconvenience caused.

Do You Want to See Kittilitt in Your Local Store?

If you’re eager to find Kittilitt’s sustainable wood-based cat litter in your local supermarket or country store, please let us know! Your feedback helps us reach more stores and ensures that you never have to worry about a cat litter shortage again.

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