Supermarket shelves across the coiuntry have been left empty of a popular dip after a six-week strike at the UK factory where it is made. There is a nationwide shortage of taramasalata after industrial action at Bakkavor, a supplier of the fish roe dip.

Employees at the factory in Spalding, Lincolnshire, walked out on strike in a pay dispute. A Bakkover spokesman said: “There has been a short disruption to our supply of taramasalata, but drawing on the skills based across 21 UK sites, production steps up again next week.”

One fan took to X to write: “I’ve been looking for taramasalata since September!!! I’ve tried multiple supermarkets in different towns and none anywhere.”

Bakkavor said its Christmas ranges are made at another site so there should be no disruption to festive meals. Amnd it said the current shortage would not be long-term.

The union Unite trade union said 700 of the factory’s 1,400 workers are on strike after asking for a pay rise. Donna-Maria Lee, chief people officer at Bakkavor, said Bakkavor’s pay offer was “well above the national living wage and inflation”.