Cornichon Shortage Leaves UK Sandwich Trade in a Pickle

A shortage of cornichons has begun to disrupt parts of the UK’s food-to-go sector, with sandwich shops facing supply challenges and menu gaps as a result.

The issue has been most visible at Pret A Manger, where its popular jambon beurre has temporarily disappeared from shelves in many stores. The French-inspired sandwich, made with ham, butter and the distinctive sharp crunch of cornichons, has been pulled due to difficulties sourcing the pickled cucumbers.

Pret confirmed the disruption is linked to a “temporary shortage” from its supplier, apologising to customers and stating it is working to restore availability as quickly as possible.

While the immediate cause has been attributed to supplier issues, the wider context points to mounting pressure across the supply chain. Rising fertiliser and energy costs—linked to geopolitical tensions affecting global energy markets—have increased the cost of greenhouse production, including cucumbers used for pickling.

Industry voices warn that these pressures could tighten supply further. Producers have already reported sharp increases in wholesale prices for some fruit and vegetables, while elevated gas costs have pushed up the cost of heating greenhouses.

For independent operators, the situation is prompting swift action. Some sandwich shop owners are moving to secure stock early, with reports of bulk ordering to mitigate the risk of shortages.

Despite the disruption in foodservice, retailers have so far remained largely unaffected. Supermarkets continue to report stable availability of cornichons, although there is growing vigilance across the sector as supply chain pressures persist.

The episode highlights how even niche ingredients can expose vulnerabilities in the fresh produce supply chain—particularly where imports, energy costs and specialist production intersect.

Source: The Guardian