Food industry spending millions of pounds stockpiling amid fears of no-deal Brexit
Video report by ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi
As new warnings from the food industry about the risks of a no-deal Brexit have emerged, ITV News has been shown the sector's own figures revealing the extent of stockpiling across the country.
The preparations are costing millions of pounds, which is now expected to mean higher shop prices.
A survey by the Food and Drink Federation has found that 68% of businesses are stockpiling in case of a no-deal Brexit, while 78% of companies have deployed to staff to work on preparations for a disorderly exit.
Meanwhile 10% of businesses within the food industry say no-deal would create a serious risk of redundancies, and even potentially threaten the existence of their companies.
Despite the preparations businesses have made, a leading industry spokesperson has said that all this work may not end the risk of gaps on the shelves if a no-deal Brexit happens.
ITV News has visited vast warehouses where systematic stockpiling is now underway.
In West Bromwich, wholesaler Jason Wouhra has already spent millions of pounds building up vast reserves in case of disruption.
An insider at one leading supermarket told ITV News that £250 million has been set aside for its Brexit plans.
There are fears however that some grocery suppliers will simply delay - not eradicate - the risk of gaps on shop shelves.
Like many other firms, tea manufacturer Clipper Teas in Beaminster fears long delays at ports both for bringing supplies in and for exporting goods.
They have hoarded the equivalent of 250 million extra tea bags.
While Majestic Wines said they have stockpiled one million extra bottles in case of disruption - worth over £8 million.
Ged Futter is a former supermarket executive who is now advising more than 40 grocery suppliers.
He says that firms are spending millions on their Brexit preparations, and that this is bound to have cost implications for shoppers.
The food and drink industry has not seen stockpiling on this scale for decades - a measure of just how seriously they take the risk of a no-deal Brexit.