UK Supermarkets including Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Aldi have experienced disruption to their supply lines.
Following bad weather in Europe and Africa, shoppers have reported significant difficulties in finding fresh produce. Supermarket shelves that were once full of fruit and veg are now bare.
The supply chain disruptions come after cold temperatures, heavy rain and flooding in areas such as Morocco and Spain over the last few weeks. In winter, the UK imports 95 per cent of its tomatoes and 90 per cent of lettuces. Growers and suppliers in Morocco have dealt with poor weather and cancelled ferries, impacting the volume of fruit reaching Britain.
Tomatoes were the first groceries to be affected but there are now shortages of peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries.
Tesco and Aldi have announced a limit to shopper at three portions per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Asda have also limited their shoppers to three portions of lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflowers and raspberry punnets, along with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Morrisons will limit people to two on cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. Other UK supermarkets have yet to announce any limits but are still struggling to keep their shelves stocked.
It remains unclear how long the rationing will last, however the Environment minister, Therese Coffey said; “I am led to believe by my officials after discussion with industry and retailers, we anticipate the situation will last about another two to four weeks.”
