Marmageddon: New Zealand Runs out of Unique Spread It's a sticky black sandwich spread that much of New Zealand adores, though detractors liken it to axle grease. And when it runs out, it's Marmageddon. The manufacturer of Marmite says its supplies of the yeast-extract product ran out this week. Earthquakes forced the company in November to close the only factory that made New Zealand's version of the savory spread. The company is telling people not to "freak" and that production will resume soon. But there has been a rush on Marmite in stores, and some people are trying to profit by selling jars of it online. Prime Minister John Key said his own Marmite supply is dwindling. He risked angering Marmite fans by saying he could also eat Vegemite, a rival spread that is made in Australia.