Shoppers have been warned over a series of shortages (Image: Getty)
Shoppers who buy fruit and vegetables from supermarkets have been warned over a series of recent shortages. Tesco, Lidl, Asda and Sainsbury’s are reporting a lack of certain fresh produce due to wet weather and flooding, resulting in shelves being left bare.
A shortage of strawberries, raspberries, avocados and peppers has hit the major UK supermarkets after weeks of rain in Morocco and southern Spain damaged crops. The two countries are among the UK’s most important suppliers of fresh produce during the winter months. According to Grocery Gazette, the impact is affecting soft fruit such as strawberries the most.
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Raspberries have also taken a hit, with gaps at Morrisons and Lidl, while major chains are understood to be having problems sourcing avocados and peppers.
However, shoppers have been urged not to panic buy or stockpile, which could cause issues with availability and drive up prices.
The Fresh Produce Consortium said: “Shoppers may see price increases as the market adjusts to limited supply. We urge consumers to be aware, but panic buying will only make matters worse.”
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said food retailers are trying to soften the blow on shoppers by sourcing produce from elsewhere.
He said: “Difficult weather conditions in Southern Europe and Northern Africa have impacted the harvest for some crops. However, food retailers are adept at managing disruption and will take all necessary measures, including sourcing from alternative sources, to minimise any impact on customers.”
Meanwhile, shortages are also affecting purple sprouting broccoli, bok choi and citrus fruit, which cannot be picked during periods of heavy rain in Spain.
Bad weather has affected stock of fruit and vegetables (Image: Getty)
Control buying manager Caroline Dodds said: “There is tighter availability of Mediterranean veg in general as they are not growing as quickly due to lower light levels.”
Large swathes of southern Europe — including Andalucía in southern Spain — and parts of northern Morocco have experienced weeks of unusually heavy rainfall and repeated storms this season. In southern Spain, January saw some of the highest rainfall totals since 2001, with floods continuing into February and beyond.
Andalucía is Europe’s biggest winter fruit and vegetable growing area, and Morocco is a key supplier of berries and vegetables to northern European markets.
These regions typically supply tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, berries such as strawberries and raspberries, avocados and citrus fruits during the UK’s off-season.
Southern Spain, particularly the Andalucía region, is often described as Europe’s “winter salad bowl” because it produces vast amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables between November and April.
The situation is expected to improve as growing seasons shift and more produce becomes available from other regions later in the year.
Tesco, Lidl, Asda and the British Retail Consortium have been requested for comment.
