Hot packs such as minced beef and stewed steak show biggest increases Importers of canned meats report an increase in demand of over 120% as consumers clear the shelves of fresh product in the wake of foot and mouth disease. A survey among the leading importers confirmed that all types of meat from hams to hot dogs have been in demand but hot packs such as minced beef and stewed steak showed the biggest increase. This sudden upsurge has caused serious problems for importers unable to replace lines from origin, either at similar costs or in quantity. Brazil, the UK's largest canned beef supplier, has stepped up production but foot and mouth disease has caused a dramatic surge in demand from European frozen importers, who supply both retail and manufacturing. Prices are escalating daily, which has precluded corned beef packers from getting raw material at prices reflecting current contract levels. "It's chaos," said one importer. "We have retailers demanding more than double the normal requirements and we have suppliers who cannot even give us a new cost for replenishment shipments." A similar situation exists with hams, where Holland ­ the largest supplier to the UK of canned pigmeat ­ has raw material problems of its own, with restricted movement of pigs and the need to switch for supplies of raw material to Denmark ­ a move which carries a heavy cost premium. Everybody's attention is focused on keeping shelves stocked rather than talking prices, but trade sources are hopeful that the situation will shortly be stabilised and consumers will realise that their actions will only result in higher costs when, in reality, the problem will be short lived. Supermarkets report heavy buying of canned fish, as well as meat, but not to the same extent. {{M/E MEAT }}

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