Brexit blamed for Colman’s Mustard not being available at Tesco

The iconic Norwich brand is among a string of Unilever products not available via the supermarket, both in store and on its website.

The consumer goods company, which manufactures mustard at its factory in Trowse, is believed to have demanded a 10pc price rise due to the falling value of the pound against the dollar and euro, and halted deliveries to Tesco when the supermarket refused.

The move was understood to have hit online sales, but there have also been reports of low stock levels in stores.

Brands affected include Surf washing powder, Comfort fabric conditioner, Persil detergent, mayonnaise maker Hellmann's, Marmite, Flora spreads, Pot Noodle and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - none of which are available from Tesco's website.

Unilever refused to comment on the dispute, but chief executive Paul Polman warned in June that a vote to leave the EU's single market would increase prices for consumers.

He told Channel 4 that a vote to Leave would mean hikes in import duties on items such as dairy products, leading to price rises that would affect consumers.

A Tesco spokesman said: 'We are currently experiencing availability issues on a number of Unilever products. We hope to have this issue resolved soon.'

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron blamed the government, saying: 'The chaos around Brexit is now hitting our supermarket shelves. This shows the government don't have a plan or even a clue.'

Tesco last week revealed its half-year profits dropped by more than a quarter to £71m after being hit by the sector's price war, though it recorded sales growth for a third quarter in a row.

Former chief executives of Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and B&Q all warned ahead of the referendum that a drop in the pound - coupled with supply chain disruption - would cause prices to spike.