Tesco pulls Heinz products from shelves amid pricing row

    Some Kraft Heinz products are no longer available in Tesco stores due to disagreements over pricing.

    Tesco shoppers might notice a lack of Heinz Baked beans, soup and ketchup in supermarkets, following a dispute over pricing.

    Kraft Heinz, told the BBC that its production costs were rising but that the company behind the popular products is working with Tesco to resolve the situation quickly.

    Over the past few months, shoppers have noticed a rise in the price of everyday cupboard items. It comes as food manufacturers have been reporting rising costs, including for energy and commodities. Despite this, a spokesperson for the huge supermarket chain says Tesco is "laser-focused on keeping the cost of the weekly shop in check".

    Tesco said in a statement: "We will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers.

    "We're sorry that this means some products aren't available right now, but we have plenty of alternatives to choose from and we hope to have this issue resolved soon," it added.

    Kraft Heinz said in a statement: "We are working closely with Tesco to resolve the situation over pricing as quickly as possible.

    "We are confident of a positive resolution."

    Currently, in other supermarkets, a tin of the popular cupboard item could cost around £1.20.

    Ged Futter, a former Asda executive and now director of consultancy The Retail Mind, told the BBC that pricing rows between manufacturers and supermarkets were more common than customers realised.

    "Heinz are saying if you're not prepared to take it we will stop supply," he said. "More manufacturers are saying that to retailers than ever before. I have examples of supplies being stopped in every single retailer except Aldi."

    He said the reason the Heinz Tesco row had become obvious was because the products were so popular that shelves would have been empty within days of the supply being cut off.

    "There will be a resolution as Tesco can't afford not to have Heinz products and Heinz can't afford to not be in Tesco. It's just a matter of what that resolution looks like," he said.

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