UK supermarket giant Tesco has said it is currently seeing 'limited disruption' to its supply chains and movements of food products from the UK on to the island of Ireland since the Brexit trade deal kicked into action at the start of January.

“We have seen some limited disruption into the Republic of Ireland and into the north of Ireland, but we're working very closely with government on both sides of the Irish Sea to smooth the flow of product,” said Tesco CEO Ken Murphy, who spoke to journalists on Thursday morning.

Teething problems

Murphy said that supply of food products remained strong, but admitted there was “teething problems” with trade of food and products of animal origin between the UK and the EU since the start of the new trading regime.

“Inevitably there are bedding-in issues and teething issues that you would expect with any new process," said Murphy.

"We're working our way through those issues and we would hope over the coming weeks and months that we will end up with a much smoother flow of product," he added.

Dublin Port

Separately, officials from Revenue and the Department of Agriculture working at Dublin Port have said they are seeing “significant issues” on the new paperwork needed for food and products of animal origin coming in through Dublin Port from the UK market.

While trade volumes coming in through Dublin Port have been noticeably low since the start of the new year, Government inspectors say the issues with incorrect paperwork were already leading to considerable red tape confusion and hold-ups for goods at the port.

New checks on food and animal products causing issues at Dublin Port

Limited disruption to supply chains since Brexit deal - Tesco

The UK supermarket giant said there has been ‘teething issues’ on shipments of food products since the new Brexit trade regime kicked in since the start of January.