In a bid to prevent gaps appearing on shelves, three of the UK’s largest supermarket chains – Morrisons, Asda, and Tesco – have introduced limits on the purchase of several fresh produce lines, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. The shortages are caused by a combination of poor weather reducing harvests in Europe and north Africa, and lower supplies from UK and Dutch producers hit by the jump in energy bills to heat glasshouses.
Aldi has also joined the rationing measures, restricting shoppers to three packs of peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes each. The likes of broccoli, cauliflower, raspberries, and lettuces are also affected, with Morrisons limiting purchases of these items to two per customer.
The supermarkets’ rationing moves have sparked concerns about the long-term impact on food supplies. While other supermarkets have not yet followed suit, they are warning of potential shortages lasting several weeks.
The root of the problem lies in the fact that certain fresh vegetables and fruits are hard to come by in the UK. The country relies heavily on imports from Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, which have been affected by unusually cold weather. In addition, UK and Dutch producers have reduced crop production due to the increased energy costs.
The situation is more severe in the UK compared to other European countries. France and Germany, for instance, have not reported any shortages, with many European shoppers sharing photos of full supermarket shelves on social media.
One major issue is the reduced output from British farms. According to the National Farmers’ Union, domestic production of salad items such as cucumbers and tomatoes has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1985. The cold snap before Christmas also damaged field crops, including cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots.
Fresh Produce Shortages Spread Across UK SupermarketsThe president of the NFU, Minette Batters, has warned that further rationing of salad items may be necessary if growers’ energy bills remain high. The problem is compounded by British tomato and salad growers choosing to delay planting in recent months due to economic uncertainty.
As a result, demand for Spanish and Moroccan produce has outstripped supply, leading retailers to struggle with access to food or face paying higher prices for what is available. The situation is unlikely to improve in the near future, with UK production not expected to pick up the slack for several weeks.
Some have blamed Brexit for the shortages, with importers arguing that the added costs and bureaucracy created by the UK’s exit from the EU have put the country at the back of the queue for supplies from European producers. However, most farmers and suppliers believe that Brexit is not the main cause of the shortages.
The shortages are not limited to salad crops. Aubergines, lemons, and eggs are also experiencing shortages, with UK egg production falling to its lowest level in nine years due to rising costs and the outbreak of avian influenza.
The NFU is calling for more support to be given to energy-reliant British farmers, with the farming minister, Mark Spencer, announcing that the Treasury and the government’s business department are examining schemes to provide support. However, even as wholesale prices for salad crops surge, growers may not be able to earn more for their produce due to being tied into contracts with retailers and suppliers.