The long awaited spread is due back in stores next week.

As supermarkets prepare for the return of Marmite to their shelves, one store manager is concerned that demand might outstrip supply.

Alec Macfadyen, store manager at New World Victoria Park, says: “There is the danger that everyone will rush in and then we’ll run out again.”

However, Sanitarium’s brand manager, Jane Grayson, says that although Marmite stock is limited, supermarket shelf space has been protected and supplies will be spread around based on population numbers.

“There will be enough for everybody,” she says.

Ms Grayson says this will mean Auckland will take a third of Marmite supplies from around the country.

The product has not been stocked in New Zealand since March 2012, when supplies ran out after the Christchurch factory suffered damage in the February 2011 earthquake.

A Countdown spokesperson says there are no plans to celebrate the return of the product, but many of their customers would be excited to see it return to shelves.

Marmite supplies start arriving in Auckland distribution centres this week.