Supermarket chain Shoprite says it is ‘reluctantly’ increasing the amount of imported fresh meat it sells - claiming there’s uncertainty over supplies from the island’s meat plant.

The retailer, which says it has supported the Manx meat industry for more than 40 years, is concerned it can no longer guarantee consistent supply to its customers of local fresh meat.

And it has called for a public inquiry into why farmers are choosing to export their beasts for slaughter.

But Isle of Man Meats interim general manager Miles Macpherson has accused the supermarket chain of being ‘disingenuous’ and claimed the move was more about the retailer protecting its margins.

It’s the latest blow for the loss-making Tromode abattoir which is facing issues over profitability and has relied on a significant annual subvention from the taxpayer.

The government is seeking tenders from operators wishing to run the plant.

In a statement, Shoprite said it has remained committed to the meat plant during the last 12 months despite ‘regular delivery disruption and inconsistent supply’.

Chief executive Andrew Thomas said: ‘We hugely regret it has come to this but we can no longer accommodate the meat plant’s inability to supply us – and giving us little or no notice - with commitments we have planned well in advance.’

He continued: ‘We cannot manage and operate a business of our size and scale with last minute supply problems where up to half of our requirement is not being delivered.

‘In recent months we have been forced to buy an increasing amount of non-Manx meat because the orders we placed locally could not be fulfilled to agreed specification.’

He added: ‘We have been informed this week the meat plant cannot supply us with prime beef cuts of the quality and maturity our customers expect during the TT.

‘We are therefore going to put our customers first by ensuring we always have stock and we will instead build a more robust supply chain model, managed in line with local availability, but based on increasing imported meat to the specification and top quality our customers require.

‘We believe there should be a public inquiry into the lack of provision of meat when subsidies are being paid to producers yet the island’s residents do not have the option to buy local fresh meat as it is being exported off island.’

Isle of Man Meats’ interim general manager Mr Macpherson said: ‘Shoprite were a major customer in volume terms but not necessarily in profitability terms.

‘What has become apparent is that Shoprite is always very price sensitive. We understand they want to earn a margin. But the bulk of produce sold through Shoprite is done on promotion and on promotional prices. At no stage were we in a position to say we could not supply them.’

Mr Macpherson pointed out that Shoprite had always imported some meat, especially pork.

He said very few finished cattle and only a small proportion of sheep were exported for slaughter.

A number of farmers were however choosing to export cattle for finishing.

He insisted the plant’s finances and operation were in a better shape than a year ago.

In a statement DEFA said: ‘Isle of Man Meats has had good throughput of livestock in recent weeks and has built up meat stocks in anticipation of TT.

‘There is evidence of cancelled orders from Shoprite in recent weeks that could have been fulfilled.

‘Both DEFA and Isle of Man Meats are always happy to meet Shoprite to discuss any concerns it has over supply.’