Supermarkets introduce limits on fruit and veg after stocks start to run low
Shoppers face restrictions on fruit and vegetables at supermarkets amid dwindling stock.
A limit of three has been put on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries, Asda announced today.
Meanwhile, Morrisons said it would be introducing limits of two items per customer across tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers from Wednesday.
Other supermarket giants are also understood to be considering similar temporary measures.
Retailers are said to believe the problem is down to a mixture of bad weather, transport problems and poor yields in Europe and Africa.
People across the country have been sharing their frustration on social media about the lack of certain products in shops.
Posting pictures of empty shelves, one customer said it ‘was not good enough’, while another asked ‘what’s going on?’
It’s hoped that supplies will improve in the next few weeks.
An Asda spokesman said: ‘Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and north Africa.
‘We have introduced a temporary limit of three of each product on a very small number of fruit and vegetable lines, so customers can pick up the products they are looking for.’
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents UK supermarkets, has blamed ‘difficult weather conditions’ for ‘disrupting harvests’.
‘While disruption is expected to last a few weeks, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce’, he added.
Growers and suppliers in Morocco have had to contend with cold temperatures, heavy rain, flooding and cancelled ferries over the past three to four weeks – all of which have affected the volume of fruit reaching Britain.
Production problems in Morocco began in January with unusually cold night-time temperatures that affected tomato ripening.
These were compounded by ferry cancellations due to bad weather, hitting lorry deliveries.
Supplies from Britain’s other major winter source, Spain, have also been badly affected by weather.
Some producers have also reported having to cut back on their use of greenhouses due to higher electricity prices.
UK producers are beginning to move into their growing season, which is expected to ease the longer term situation.
Supermarket bosses are looking at what alternatives are available to produce from Spain and northern Africa.
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