Post date: Mar 20, 2012 1:23:53 PM
Earthquakes hit supplies of New Zealand's favourite Marmite spread.
ASIA-BUSINESSASIA - New Zealanders are calling it "Marmageddon", as the country runs low on a popular thick salty spread known as Marmite.
New Zealand's sole Marmite factory in Christchurch, was shut down in November, after being damaged by the earthquakes last year.
The last batches of the black savoury concoction have long been shipped out, and to the dismay of residents, stores are starting to run out of stock.
UNIDENTIFIED CHRISTCHURCH RESIDENT SAYING:
"It's just like another thing in Christchurch that's gone."
Owner Sanitarium hopes to restart production again in July, and General Manager Pierre van Heerden has some advice on how to avoid severe Marmite withdrawl.
PIERRE van HEERDEN, SANITARIUM NEW ZEALAND GENERAL MANAGER SAYING:
"If you have it every day, maybe have it every second day, and don't go out there and panic buy."
Sanitarium has considered importing from overseas, but New Zealanders think the imported version tastes different.
And don't even think of suggesting Australian rival brand, Vegemite, as a substitute.
One seller on local website Trade Me is offering a new unopened jar of Marmite for 999 New Zealand dollars ($822.55).
Arnold Gay, Reuters.