THERE has been much uncertainty in recent weeks after Brexit came into effect on January 1, leaving many concerned Fermanagh residents worried about the stock levels of food in supermarkets.

Many people are being encouraged to shop for local produce as opposed to supermarkets imports, but one local producer is facing difficulties because of the exit from the EU.

Shane Stewart, of Stewart’s Butcher, Enniskillen has encountered some difficulty with some aspects of his business, despite “95 per cent of our product being locally sourced".

Mr. Stewart has been having issues with “speciality foods, such as Parma ham, chorizo” and other products including essential equipment that cannot be locally sourced.

He said that it has become “an irritation and a hassle” to deal with some suppliers.

In the past week, he has encountered problems with three separate companies. He said: “One company wants us to buy a pallet of product; with these new regulations it's easier to send pallets, but we just aren’t big enough to be buying pallets of stuff, so they’re saying to us that it’s not worth their while [to trade with us].”

Mr. Stewart had tried to begin business with a new company based in Scotland, but when he tried to open a trade account, he was told the company are not taking on any Northern Ireland (NI) customers.

He said: “They said they are opening no new NI trade accounts because they have no experience dealing with customs regulations.”

Mr. Stewart faced further disruption when he attempted to order equipment for his business.

“[That equipment company] was based in London and told me they were doing no exports; they were only supplying the UK, but then they told me they could get it to a port and then I could organise for it to come over and do all the customs declarations myself, but I wouldn’t have a clue about that.”

It's not just individual businesses or traders such as Mr. Stewart who are facing difficulties, with a number of High Street names and brands also experiencing teething troubles.

Addressing the issues that Brexit may be impacting on, at present, a Tesco spokesperson said: “We have a good supply of products coming into Northern Ireland. There has been a short delay on certain products, but we’re working with suppliers to get these back on the shelves as quickly as possible, and direct customers to alternatives where we can.”

Alongside delays in products being delivered, Marks and Spencer’s announced last week that more than 380 products will not be available in Northern Ireland stores as a result of customs arrangements along the Irish Sea Border.

These items include Percy Pig sponge rolls, a variety of breads, and a selection of ready meals made by the popular supermarket.