Marmite, the unique British food spread revered for its savory umami flavor, has reportedly disappeared from the shelves of Singapore’s major supermarket chains and retail outlets. This comes as a surprise to the local populace who have grown to love the uniquely flavored condiment.
Empty Shelves in Local Stores
The top supermarket chains in Singapore, notably FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Cold Storage, and Giant, have all reported the absence of Marmite from their inventories. An employee at FairPrice confirmed that Marmite had been out of stock for several months. Similarly, a staff member at Sheng Siong revealed that they had not received any new Marmite shipments recently. Even online searches for Marmite on these supermarkets’ websites yield no results.
While Marmite is still available from a handful of online sellers, the prices are considerably higher than before. For instance, last week, Shopee had only a few sellers offering 8g sachets for S$4.50 (US$3.48) each. This is a stark contrast to the previous price of a 200g jar, which was sold for S$7.08 at FairPrice.
Marmite, a dark, sticky spread made from yeast extract, is renowned for its intensely savory, salty, and umami flavor profile. Traditionally spread on toast in the UK, it has also found its way into Singaporean cuisine, featuring in popular dishes such as Marmite chicken and Marmite pork ribs.
Under New Management
Unilever, the consumer goods behemoth that produces Marmite, announced in late March that it had agreed to merge its food business, including Marmite, with U.S.-based McCormick. The merged entity will operate under the McCormick name and will be managed by a combination of executives from both companies. The deal is anticipated to close by mid-2027, with Unilever and its shareholders retaining 65% control in the combined company.
Earlier this month, a notice circulated on social media suggesting that Unilever Asia, the regional distributor responsible for Marmite supplies in Singapore, had removed the product from its portfolio as of April 1.
Questions & Answers
Why has Marmite disappeared from Singapore’s supermarket shelves?
According to local reports, Marmite has been out of stock for several months. The exact reason remains unknown.
Is Marmite still available in Singapore?
While Marmite is no longer available in major supermarkets, it can still be purchased from a few online sellers although at higher prices.
What changes are expected after the merger of Unilever’s food business with McCormick?
The combined entity will operate under the McCormick name and will be managed by a blend of executives from both companies, with Unilever and its shareholders retaining 65% control. The deal is expected to close by mid-2027.
