Britain’s major supermarkets are imposing purchase limits on certain fruits and vegetables due to supply shortages that have left shelves bare.
Tesco has restricted sales of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to three items per customer, attributing the issue to adverse weather conditions abroad. The chain is working with suppliers to resolve the problem.
Asda has also set a three-item limit on lettuce, salad bags, cauliflower, and raspberries, while Morrisons has capped sales at two items for cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. Discount supermarkets Aldi and Lidl, based in Germany, have introduced similar restrictions.
The National Farmers’ Union has highlighted challenges faced by British farmers, including high energy costs impacting greenhouse cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Northern European farmers are encountering additional issues such as tomato disease and increased fuel prices.
Analysts warn that Brexit-related challenges and high energy costs for farmers are compounding the impact of current shortages, affecting both availability and prices.Andrew Opie from the British Retail Consortium noted that weather disruptions in Southern Europe and Northern Africa, including heavy rains in Morocco and a cold snap in Spain, have exacerbated the shortages.
The disruption is expected to persist for a few weeks. The UK imports around 95% of its winter tomatoes.
While Brexit has not been officially cited by the UK government as a cause, analysts suggest it could be affecting supply chains. EU member Ireland is also facing similar shortages.
European agricultural group Copa’s Pekka Pesonen mentioned that Brexit-related paperwork might increase costs for exporters, impacting prices. James Walton from the Institute of Grocery Distribution emphasized that the UK’s reliance on EU imports means production shortfalls in Europe directly affect UK supply.
UK Food Minister Mark Spencer has engaged with retailers to address the shortages and improve future preparedness.