British shoppers are facing the worst butter and cream shortage since World War Two, farmers have warned.
Peder Tuborgh, chief executive of Arla, whose brands include Cravendale and Anchor, said there was insufficient milk being supplied by farmers to make the products.
He warned of a "desperate need" for butter and said Britain would face a big shortage at Christmas.
Farmers slowed their milk and cream production last year when prices crashed, which was a result of over-production, Mr Tuborgh said.
The National Farmers' Union described Mr Tuborgh's comments as "scaremongering."
One farmer, whose family have been in the dairy business for a century, told The Sun: “This is the worst I can remember.
“My dad started on the farm just after the Second World War and is worried it could be as bad as the shortages that led to rationing then.”
Studies have shown a surge in cake-making since the broadcast of the Great British Bake Off and analysts say wholesale butter prices have soared by 88 per cent in the last year.
People are turning to dairy alternatives and the demand has even seen fast-food chain McDonalds switch to margarine.
Simon Clapp, of Brue Valley Farms, in Somerset, which produces butter for M&S, Waitrose and Aldi, also told the newspaper: “It’s getting pretty tough. There’s a shortage of cream from across Europe. Prices are high.”
The shortage is set to peak at Christmas but he urged shoppers not to panic buy.
He added: “The main problem is that you will be paying more.”
A standard 250g block of butter now costs £1.49, while a year ago it was £1.35, according to the Office for National Statistics.
