LEAF IT OUT
Full list of major supermarkets imposing buying limits as shortages hit shelves
TWO supermarket chains have started rationing fruit and veg amid shortages of fresh produce.
And millions of shoppers have been warned they are likely to face empty shelves for weeks.
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In an effort to avoid panic-buying, Asda yesterday announced a limit of three items for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries.
At Morrisons stores, there is a cap of two items a person on tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers.
In recent days, social media has been flooded with pictures of empty fruit and veg supermarket shelves.
Shortages have been caused by the unusually cold weather in Spain and Morocco. Floods, snow and hail have hit harvests which usually supply the bulk of our winter salad crop.
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During the winter months, Britain imports about 95 per cent of its tomatoes and 90 per cent of lettuces, most from the affected region.
Meanwhile, UK farmers have cut back owing to soaring prices of gas and fertiliser required to grow crops and heat their greenhouses.
The crisis came as the National Farmers’ Union warned production of salad ingredients in Britain would fall to the lowest levels since records began in 1985 owing to rising costs.
President Minette Batters told Sky News: “Everybody wants to avoid rationing, effectively, which is what we saw with eggs in December. But I think there are going to be challenges on availability of some items.”
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Ms Batters said there should be more help for the horticulture sector, which was not included in the Government’s support scheme for energy intensive industries.
She added: “The situation seems ridiculous. The Royal Botanic Gardens, as important as they are, qualify. But the protected crop sector — those growing tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers to feed British families — don’t.”
The British Retail Consortium said shortages were expected to last a few weeks until the UK growing season begins and retailers found alternative suppliers.
Asda
Asda has introduced a limit of three each per customer of the following items:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Lettuce,
- Salad bags,
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Raspberries
A spokesman for the supermarket 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.”
Morrisons
Morrisons is to introduce a maximum cap of two items per customers.
The new rules will come in at all its stores from Wednesday, February 22.
The limits will apply to tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers from tomorrow.
Tesco
Tesco said it does not currently have any buying limits in place.
The supermarket giant said it is "working hard to ensure good availability for customers".
Co-op
A spokesman for The Co-Op told The Sun it has no plans to ration fruit and vegetables at this time.
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's said it does not currently have any plans to bring in purchase limits for shoppers.
Lidl
German discounter Lidl said it doesn't currently have plans to put limits in place.
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Aldi
The Sun has contacted Aldi for comment and we will update this story once we know more.
Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer told The Sun it currently has no plans to introduce a buying limit on fruit and vegetables.
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