Food shortages – latest: Carrots, leeks and cabbages could run low in weeks as supermarkets ration

Volumes of carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower could run low “within weeks,” growers have warned.

Jack Ward, CEO of the British Growers Association, said: “The industry is beginning to see the negative impact of last summer’s extreme temperatures and drought on UK crops.

“Volumes are running low as a result of the weather last summer and the situation has been made worse by harsh frosts around Christmas.

“Consequently we may start to see stocks of crops like carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower running low within the coming weeks.

He added: “Europe has also been hit by adverse weather conditions and so supplies from other parts of Europe may be difficult to source until the new crops start to appear around June.”

It comes after the Liberal Democrats called on the government to convene an emergency Cobra meeting after four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets put limits on the amount of fruit and vegetables customers may buy.

Tesco, Aldi, Morrison’s and Asda have introduced rationing, placing a cap of three items per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

Key points

• Carrots, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower could run out ‘within weeks'

• Shortage 'could last until May’

• Calls for emergency Cobra meeting

• ‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500

• Ukraine supermarkets full of fruit and veg as UK rations

Volumes of carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower could run low ‘within weeks’

14:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Volumes of carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower could run low “within weeks,” growers have warned.

Jack Ward, CEO of the British Growers Association, said: “The industry is beginning to see the negative impact of last summer’s extreme temperatures and drought on UK crops.

“Volumes are running low as a result of the weather last summer and the situation has been made worse by harsh frosts around Christmas.

“Consequently we may start to see stocks of crops like carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower running low within the coming weeks.

He added: “Europe has also been hit by adverse weather conditions and so supplies from other parts of Europe may be difficult to source until the new crops start to appear around June.”

Thank you for reading

18:00 , Martha Mchardy

We are wrapping up our live coverage of supermarket rationing.

Thank you for reading.

As pasta prices double, which food items have been hit worst by inflation?

15:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Food inflation has caused the price of everyday grocery items to skyrocket, with the price of pasta nearly doubling in two years.

British shoppers are seeing the average weekly shop bite harder into their budgets, with shoppers relying on value ranges bearing the brunt of the price rises.

The cost of value items was up 21.6 per cent in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9 per cent, consumer analysis platform, Which? found.

In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2 per cent over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4 per cent and standard own-brand items increased 18.9 per cent.

Thomas Kingsley reports:

As pasta prices double, which food items have been hit worst by inflation?

Supermarket food shortages: Europeans mock UK shoppers with pictures of shelves full of fruit and vegetables

14:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

People living in Europe are sharing pictures of their packed supermarket shelves to lay bare the reality of Britain’s recent food shortages.

British supermarkets have been hit with shortages since the weekend due to adverse weather, transport problems and other factors, with Morrisons admitting to a lack of tomatoes and shoppers reporting difficulties sourcing fresh vegetables in other supermarkets.

Asda announced it will be limiting customers to a maximum of three items such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and broccoli in response to the problem.

Aldi confirmed it has also begun rationining fresh produce, a spokesperson.

Europeans mock UK shoppers with pictures of full shelves of vegetables

Farmers and growers ‘are going to continue to struggle,’ professor predicts

13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

David Rose, Professor of Sustainable Agricultural Systems at Cranfield University, said: “British farmers and growers have received very little help with rising costs, while the UK is the worst affected country in Europe for rising energy costs.

“If our glasshouse growers cannot afford to turn on the LED lights and heating, they can’t help to plug a shortfall. Without government intervention with energy costs or retailer support in raising prices, our farmers and growers are going to continue to struggle.

“Longer-term, science and technology can begin to address some of the challenges farmers face, potentially lowering input costs (e.g. robotics with labour) and improving yields (e.g. gene editing) and offer new production systems (e.g. vertical farming, cultured meat).

“But we also need to challenge cheap food narratives. It isn’t the fault of the farmer that people are struggling to afford food - this is a social inequality problem and technology is not a solution for poverty.”

UK’s major growers delaying planting crops due to ‘high energy costs'

12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Lea Valley Growers Association has said some of the UK’s major growers are delaying planting crops because of high energy costs.

It has about 80 members across an area that includes Greater London, Hertfordshire and Essex who produce around three-quarters of the UK’s cucumbers and peppers, as well as a lot of aubergines and tomatoes.

The Association’s secretary Lee Stiles told the BBC that high energy costs and low supermarket prices are making it harder for growers to earn a living.

Many are delaying planting or growing less and about 10% have left the sector altogether.

Now leeks could be off the menu as British growers warn of shortage due to ‘challenging weather’

11:58 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

First it was tomatoes – now leeks could be off the menu as growers warn that British-grown supplies could be exhausted by April.

High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”.

Supermarkets are already limiting the sale of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables because of a lack of imports.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said on Thursday that British consumers should eat more turnips instead of imported food, but the Leek Growers Association said shoppers will have to rely on leeks grown abroad through May and June.

British growers warn of leek shortage due to ‘challenging weather’

Watch: Brexit debate erupts after journalist says food shortages aren't affecting Ukraine

11:10 , Emily Atkinson

No 10 insists Brexit not to blame for shortages

10:40 , Emily Atkinson

No 10 has rejected suggestions that Brexit was to blame for any food shortages.

Asked if the UK’s departure from the EU was impacting shortages, the prime minister’s spokesperson said: “The industry and retailers themselves have spoken about the reason for some of the supply issues we are facing, notably poor weather in certain parts of southern Europe and north Africa.”

Therese Coffey was ‘celebrating’ British produce when she made turnip comments - No 10

10:10 , Emily Atkinson

Last night, Downing Street said that Therese Coffey was setting out the importance of “celebrating” British produce when she appeared to suggest that eating turnips could help avoid fruit and vegetable shortages in UK supermarkets.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “We don’t believe it is for us to tell people what they should or shouldn’t buy, that is entirely a matter for them.

“I think what the Secretary of State was doing was setting out the importance of celebrating the produce that we grow here in the UK but, ultimately, it is for individuals to decide what food they wish to buy.”

Now leeks could be off the menu as British growers warn of shortage due to ‘challenging weather’

09:40 , Emily Atkinson

First it was tomatoes – now leeks could be off the menu as growers warn that British-grown supplies could be exhausted by April.

High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”.

Supermarkets are already limiting the sale of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables because of a lack of imports.

Read our report in full here:

British growers warn of leek shortage due to ‘challenging weather’

ICYMI | Cries of ‘shocking’ as Therese Coffey fumbles question about sewage and food shortages

09:20 , Emily Atkinson

Supermarket value range shoppers ‘bearing brunt of inflation'

08:50 , Emily Atkinson

Shoppers relying on the cheapest supermarket ranges are bearing the brunt of grocery inflation with price rises on value items far outstripping those of branded and premium products, figures show.

The price of value items was up 21.6 per cent in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9 per cent, Which? found.

In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2 per cent over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4% and standard own-brand items increased 18.9 per cent.

Which? analysed inflation on more than 25,000 food and drink products at eight major supermarkets - Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

Its findings suggest those who are likely to be already struggling to feed their families and pay their bills during the cost-of-living crisis are being hit disproportionately with the sharpest food price increases.

Some of the biggest price increases on supermarket value items include Sainsbury’s muesli rising 87.5 per cent from £1.20 to £2.25, tins of sliced carrots up 63% from 20p to 33p at Tesco, and pork sausages up 58.2 per cent from 80p to £1.27 at Asda.

Why supermarkets had empty shelves over the weekend

08:23 , Emily Atkinson

Shoppers have hit out after reports of empty shelves in supermarkets across the country at the weekend.

Morrisons has admitted a tomato shortage and a general lack of fresh vegetables is reported elsewhere.

Andrea Cowan, the SNP councillor for Rutherglen Central & North, posted a photo on Twitter showing a lack of veg at a site in her local area.

Matt Mathers reports:

Why supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons had empty shelves over the weekend

Supermarket value range shoppers bearing brunt of food price inflation – Which?

07:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Shoppers relying on the cheapest supermarket ranges are bearing the brunt of grocery inflation with price rises on value items far outstripping those of branded and premium products, figures show.

The price of value items was up 21.6% in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9%, Which? found.

In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2% over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4% and standard own-brand items increased 18.9%.

Which? analysed inflation on more than 25,000 food and drink products at eight major supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

Its findings suggest those who are likely to be already struggling to feed their families and pay their bills during the cost-of-living crisis are being hit disproportionately with the sharpest food price increases.

Supermarket value range shoppers bearing brunt of food price inflation – Which?

Food shortage 'could last until may’, say growers

07:06 , Namita Singh

As four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets put limits on the amount of fruit and vegetables customers may buy, growers have warned that shortages of some produce could last until May.

The Lea Valley Growers Association said that while weather conditions in Spain and Morocco are the main reason for the supply shortage, it is further exacerbated by UK producers who are delaying planting some crops due to high energy costs, reported the BBC.

Earlier Therese Coffey told MPs that ongoing shortages of produce will be a temporary issue that should be resolved in “two to four weeks”.

She suggested the UK should “cherish the specialisms” it has and a “lot of people would be eating turnips right now” under a seasonal food model – rather than thinking about lettuce, tomatoes and similar produce.

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

07:00 , Namita Singh

Tory cabinet minister Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford their soaring food bills could consider working more hours.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell could be heard saying “that’s appalling” as the environment secretary replied to her concerns about food banks in York running out of stock.

Ms Coffey also said the widespread shortage of some fruits and vegetables – which has seen supermarkets introduce rationing – may last as long as another four weeks.

More in this report:

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

‘Let them eat turnips’: Tory minister wades in on how to ease supermarket shortages

06:45 , Namita Singh

Eating turnips could help avoid fruit and vegetable shortages in UK supermarkets during the winter months, the environment secretary has said.

Therese Coffey told MPs that ongoing shortages of produce will be a temporary issue that should be resolved in two to four weeks.

She added the UK should “cherish the specialisms” it has and a “lot of people would be eating turnips right now” under a seasonal food model – rather than thinking about lettuce, tomatoes and similar produce.

Read the details here:

‘Let them eat turnips’: Tory minister wades in on how to ease supermarket shortages

Labour government may be needed to reach Brexit protocol deal, says ex-Irish PM

06:30 , Namita Singh

If Rishi Sunak fails to strike a post-Brexit deal with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol soon, it probably won’t happen until there is a Labour government, former Irish premier Bertie Ahern has said.

The PM is under huge pressure from Conservative moderates to sign an agreement, but No 10 is believed to be holding off in a bid to win over the DUP and Tory hardliners in the European Research Group.

Officials in Brussels are reportedly worried the deal could lose momentum, and Mr Ahern warned a compromise agreement could collapse completely if Mr Sunak cannot get it done soon.

My colleague Adam Forrest reports:

Labour government may be needed to reach Brexit protocol deal, says ex-Irish PM

Deadline to ditch EU Laws risks public health, warns ex-food watchdog chair

06:15 , Namita Singh

A deadline to scrap all remaining EU-made laws in the UK by the end of the year risks public health, a former food safety watchdog chair has warned.

Speaking in parliament, Oxford University scientist Lord Krebs argued the government’s planned timetable by the government was “driven by ideology and not logic”.

Raising his concerns over the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, the independent crossbencher, who previously chaired the Food Standards Agency (FSA), has proposed a series of changes “to prevent ignorance, prejudice and selfishness inadvertently or deliberately making our food less safe”.

He made his comments as it was also claimed at Westminster the draft legislation was aimed at satisfying members of the Tory Eurosceptic European Research Group (ERG), who were dubbed “the swivelly-eyed end of the Conservative Party”.

There has been strong criticism of the Bill which could see more than 4,000 laws amended, repealed or replaced by the end of 2023, with limited parliamentary scrutiny over ministerial decisions and no ability to change them.

Opponents argue it hands too much power to the government, creates uncertainty and threatens workers’ rights, consumer protections and environmental standards.

Proposing changes to the Bill, Lord Krebs said: “My amendments in this group are designed to prevent ignorance, prejudice and selfishness inadvertently or deliberately making our food less safe and of lower standards than we are used to.

“Ignorance because we don’t know the precise number, nature and impact of the rules that are being potentially removed at the end of this year.

“Prejudice because the plan to sunset is driven by ideology and not logic.

“Selfishness because ideology is trumping the protection of the public.”

He added: “The reason why our food is so safe today is because of a raft of legislation - 97 per cent of it derived from the EU.

“Without proper scrutiny and consideration, these protections could be lost.”

Intense talks, familiar wrangles as UK, EU seek Brexit reset

06:00 , Namita Singh

Senior UK and European Union officials met yesterday as part of what Britain called “intensive negotiations” to resolve a thorny post-Brexit trade dispute that has spawned a political crisis in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris traveled to Brussels to meet Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator.

Hopes of a breakthrough were raised last week when prime minister Rishi Sunak flew to Belfast to meet leaders of Northern Ireland’s political leaders and discuss progress. But hints of compromise by the UK government sparked opposition from hard-line euroskeptics in Mr Sunak’s governing Conservative Party, costing the prime minister vital political momentum to secure a deal.

Report:

Intense talks, familiar wrangles as UK, EU seek Brexit reset

Boris Johnson ramps up pressure on Sunak to pass his EU-defying protocol bill

05:30 , Namita Singh

Boris Johnson has ramped up Brexiteer pressure on Rishi Sunak to defy the EU in Brexit negotiations and push on with a unilateral bill to rip up the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The prime minister is under pressure from Tory moderates to sign a compromise deal with Brussels, but No 10 is believed to have put the brakes on an agreement in a bid to win over the DUP and hardliners in the European Research Group.

Mr Johnson made his first public statement on the row on Thursday, urging Mr Sunak not to ditch the Northern Ireland Protocol bill introduced last summer when he was still at No 10.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more:

Boris Johnson ramps up pressure on Sunak to pass his EU-defying protocol bill

Ukraine supermarkets full of fruit and veg as UK rations

05:00 , Namita Singh

Full shelves of food have been pictured greeting customers in war-torn Ukraine as Britian’s supermarkets struggle to stock items.

Environment secretary Thérèse Coffey said on Thursday that salad and other vegetable items could be short in the UK for up to one month.

The government has come under fire for not supporting British farmers and also enacting Brexit policies that have led to the shortages. Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Morrisons have all limited the number of some fruits and vegetables that customers can buy.

More in this report:

Ukraine supermarkets full of fruit and veg as UK rations

Coffey would rather make us eat Baldrick’s favourite veg than admit Brexit is a failure

04:30 , Namita Singh

Britain’s politicians can’t bring themselves to tell the truth about empty shelves, writes our chief business commentator James Moore.

Coffey would rather we eat Baldrick’s veg than admit Brexit failure

‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500 as supermarkets shelves run bare

04:00 , Namita Singh

Six salad tomatoes are on sale for £500 as supermarket shelves in the UK run bare amid supply issues.

One person has made light of the fruit and vegetable shortages by selling six tomatoes that are “unused and in original packaging”.

Retailers have warned that the shortages could last for weeks as bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe have left supermarkets with a low supply of tomatoes and other fresh produce.

My colleague Martha McHardy reports:

‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500 as supermarkets shelves run bare

Value range shoppers 'bear brunt' of food price inflation

03:30 , Namita Singh

Shoppers relying on the cheapest supermarket ranges are bearing the brunt of grocery inflation with price rises on value items far outstripping those of branded and premium products, figures show.

The price of value items was up 21.6 per cent in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9 per cent, Which? found.

In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2 per cent over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4 per cent and standard own-brand items increased 18.9 per cent.

Report:

Supermarket value range shoppers bearing brunt of food price inflation – Which?

Farmers are in trouble – and that means UK food security is too

Thursday 23 February 2023 23:05 , Jane Dalton

This opinion piece from last year makes some pertinent points in the light of the latest food crisis:

Opinion: Farmers are in trouble – and that means UK food security is too

‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500

Thursday 23 February 2023 22:01 , Jane Dalton

An online seller is asking £500 for six salad tomatoes as supermarket shelves run bare.

One person has made light of the fruit and vegetable shortages by selling tomatoes that are “unused and in original packaging”:

‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500 as supermarkets shelves run bare

Coffey heckled by MPs as she fumbles question on supply issues

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:26 , Jane Dalton

Watch:

Therese Coffey heckled by MP as she fumbles question on food supply issues

Opinion: Coffey would rather make us eat Baldrick’s favourite veg than admit Brexit is a failure

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:05 , Jane Dalton

If you put up trade barriers like this government has, you inevitably create problems with your supply chains, which are apt to buckle in the face of challenges, writes James Moore:

Coffey would rather we eat Baldrick’s veg than admit Brexit failure

Calls for emergency Cobra meeting

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:10 , Jane Dalton

A Liberal Democrat MP has called for the prime minister to call an emergency Cobra meeting to respond to the “national emergency”.

Wera Hobhouse, Climate and Energy spokesperson, said it was “imperative that we see action now” and accused the government of turning a blind eye.

“It is unacceptable that the concerns of the farming industry are being ignored. Clearly, the Secretary of State is out of touch with the real world,” she said.

“Our supply chain issues cannot be fixed overnight by encouraging more domestic food production.”

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:49 , Jane Dalton

Tory cabinet minister Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford their soaring food bills could consider working more hours.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell could be heard saying “that’s appalling” as the environment secretary replied to her concerns about food banks in York running out of stock:

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

Italian restaurants forced to remove items from menu as food shortages create ‘perfect storm’

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Italian restaurants in the UK are being forced to change menus and drop meals as food shortages begin to hit the hospitality sector.

The UK has been hit with shortages since the weekend due to adverse weather in Spain and Morocco, transport problems and other factors. Among the food items affected are tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and broccoli.

Asda, Morrisons, Lidl and Tesco are among major supermarkets rationing fresh produce, while the supply chain issues.

Thomas Kingsley reports:

Italian restaurants forced to change menus as food shortages hit

Supermarket food shortages: Europeans mock UK shoppers with pictures of shelves full of fruit and vegetables

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

People living in Europe are sharing pictures of their packed supermarket shelves to lay bare the reality of Britain’s recent food shortages.

British supermarkets have been hit with shortages since the weekend due to adverse weather, transport problems and other factors, with Morrisons admitting to a lack of tomatoes and shoppers reporting difficulties sourcing fresh vegetables in other supermarkets.

Asda announced it will be limiting customers to a maximum of three items such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and broccoli in response to the problem.

Aldi confirmed it has also begun rationining fresh produce, a spokesperson.

Europeans mock UK shoppers with pictures of full shelves of vegetables

UK food resilience ‘is currently gone,’ NFU says

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:05 , Jane Dalton

The NFU said UK food resilience “is currently gone” as supermarkets have introduced a rationing system for fruit and vegetables.

NFU vice president David Exwood said: “We are repeatedly seeing a predictable combination of factors such as energy costs and weather leading to empty supermarket shelves. Our UK food resilience is currently gone. The government needs to take this seriously.

“Producers must have the confidence they need, working within a fair and transparent supply chain, ensuring fair and sustainable returns so they can do what they do best; produce nutritious, high quality British Food to meet demand from shoppers.”

Coffey’s ‘let them eat turnips’ celebration of UK produce, says No 10

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:25 , Jane Dalton

Downing Street said environment secretary Therese Coffey was setting out the importance of “celebrating” British produce when she appeared to suggest that eating turnips could help avoid fruit and vegetable shortages in supermarkets.

No 10 also rejected suggestions that Brexit was to blame for any shortages.

A spokesman said: “We don’t believe it is for us to tell people what they should or shouldn’t buy – that is entirely a matter for them.

“I think what the secretary of state was doing was setting out the importance of celebrating the produce that we grow here in the UK but, ultimately, it is for individuals to decide what food they wish to buy.”

Asked whether Brexit was having an effect on shortages, he said: “The industry and retailers themselves have spoken about the reason for some of the supply issues we are facing, notably poor weather in certain parts of southern Europe and north Africa.”

Disruption to food supplies likely to last for ‘a few months,’ fresh produce supplier says

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Commenting on the food shortages, Paul Smith, Head of Sales at Oliver Kay, a leading wholesale supplier of fresh produce and ingredients to the hospitality industry, said:“If you couple the unprecedented weather conditions with the cost of living crisis, the war on Ukraine and the geopolitical issues of export bans, such as on salad by the Moroccan government to limit their own domestic food inflation, all of these factors have created a perfect storm, putting a strain on countries and companies.

“We have many contracts in place with growers which protect our customers to a certain degree, however these challenges are being felt right across the industry. Where the product is available to be harvested, we are receiving our contracted volumes.

“Where the product isn’t available to be harvested, we are seeing shortages. The nature of fresh produce means that it cannot be stockpiled, so any issue relating to availability to harvest is quickly felt within the supply chain.

“As is the way with fresh produce, as some products become easier to get hold of, others may become more challenging due to their growing cycle. It therefore may be that we will see disruption until the new season begins in a few months.”

Supermarket rationing: which product are affected?

Thursday 23 February 2023 15:30 , Martha Mchardy

UK supermarkets have begun rationing selected fruit and vegetables as supply issues caused empty shelves across the country.

Bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe have left supermarkets with a low supply of tomatoes and other fresh produce.

Citrus (including oranges and lemons), brassicas (such as broccoli and cauliflower) and salad crops (cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes) have also been impacted.

Volumes of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines are down by more than a fifth year-on-year in the key growing region of Almeria, according to Spanish growers association FEPEX. Courgettes have also been affected.

Retailers have warned that the shortages could last for weeks.

Martha McHardy reports:

Which supermarket products are suffering shortages and why?

Head of Spain’s largest farming association points to Brexit as underlying cause of UK food shortages

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:36 , Martha Mchardy

The knock-on effects of Brexit are contributing to the food shortages hitting UK supermarkets, the head of Spain’s largest farming association has said.

Alfonso Gálvez, general secretary of the Murcia branch of Asaja, Spain’s biggest farming association said the vegetable season is unaffected in Spain, compared to the UK where some supermarkets are limiting customers to buying only three items of certain products.

“I’ve seen these articles but I don’t understand why they’re talking about shortages here,” he said.

“Things are normal so far this season so I don’t know if it’s more a problem of UK logistics since the Brexit regulations came into effect. There’s enough produce to supply the market and the vegetable season is happening pretty normally.”

He acknowledged that rising costs have seen a drop in production for some growers and that frosts had affected some artichoke and lettuce crops, but Gálvez did not think it was serious or widespread enough to have significantly reduced market supplies.

Food shortages present a ‘grave national emergency’, says Lib Dem MP

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:24 , Martha Mchardy

Food shortages present a “grave national emergency”, a Lib Dem MP has said.

In a tweet posted today, Wera Hobhouse MP for Bath said: “Food shortages present a grave national emergency, but the Secretary of State does not recognise it.

“In fact, the Government seems content in turning a blind eye to the urgency of the issue altogether.”

In parliament today, Ms Hobhouse also urged the government to hold a COBRA meeting over food shortages.

Shelves full in war torn Ukraine as UK suffers food shortages

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:12 , Martha Mchardy

Shelves in supermarkets in wartorn Ukraine are bursting with fresh produce as the UK suffers a shortage of fruit and vegetables.

Channel Four International Editor Lindsey Hillsum posted a picture showing plentiful stocks of tomatoes, courgettes and peppers on the shelves of a supermarket in Kherson.

Journalist John Sweeney also posted to social media from Kyiv showing shelves stocked with tomatoes.

It comes as four supermarkets in the UK have introduced limits on how many items shoppers can buy of certain products due to supply shortages.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey today said that Ireland and other parts on Europe are facing similar supply issues.

Retail experts have warned that food shortages could last for weeks.

Why are UK supermarkets having shortages?

Thursday 23 February 2023 13:15 , Martha Mchardy

Retailers have warned that the shortages could last for weeks as bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe have left supermarkets with a low supply of tomatoes and other fresh produce.

Growers and suppliers in Morocco have had to contend with cold temperatures, heavy rain, flooding and cancelled ferries over the past few weeks – all of which have affected the volume of fruit reaching Britain. Supplies from Britain’s other major winter source, Spain, have also been badly affected by bad weather.

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. Producers in Morocco have also reported having to cut back on their use of greenhouses due to higher electricity prices.

Martha McHardy reports:

Which supermarket products are suffering shortages and why?

Food shortages could last another four weeks, says Coffey

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:45 , Martha Mchardy

The environment secretary Therese Coffey said government officials expect food shortages “will last about another two to four weeks” – citing weather in Europe and north Africa for crop failures.

She said her department “has already been in discussion with the retailers” to discuss how to source alternative supplies. “It is why there will be further discussions led by ministers as well, so that we can try and get over this and try and avoid similar situations in the future,” said Ms Coffey.

“Even if we cannot control the weather it is important that we try and make sure the supply continues to not be frustrated in quite the way it has been due to these unusual weather incidents,” she added.

Ministers urged to hold emergency Cobra meeting on food shortages

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:20 , Martha Mchardy

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to convene an emergency Cobra meeting after supermarkets – including Tesco, Aldi, ASDA and Morrisons – placed limits on the amount of fruit and vegetables customers can buy.

Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said people were “rightly alarmed” by empty shelves and said the government appeared to have “no urgent plan to fix it”.

“We need an urgent Cobra meeting, together with food experts, supermarkets and farmers, to hammer out an urgent solution to this crisis. Ministers cannot just sit on their hands while food supply chains across the country grind to a halt.”

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:06 , Martha Mchardy

Tory cabinet minister Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford their soaring food bills could consider working more hours.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell could be heard saying “that’s appalling” as the environment secretary replied to her concerns about food banks in York running out of stock.

Ms Coffey also said the widespread shortage of some fruits and vegetables – which has seen supermarkets introduce rationing – may last as long as another month.

Adam Forrest reports:

Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

Which supermarkets are rationing?

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:00 , Martha Mchardy

Four British supermarkets have introduced purchase limits for customers following shortages of fresh produce.

Asda announced it will be limiting customers to a maximum of three items such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and broccoli in response to the problem.

Customers will also be limited to three bags of salad, cauliflower and raspberries.

Morrisons will also start a ban on more than two items, limiting purchases of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers.

Aldi is limiting purchases of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to three units per person.

While Tesco joined the growing list of stores to impose customer purchase limits on salad vegetables on Wednesday afternoon.

Kate Plummer reports:

Which supermarkets are rationing tomatoes and other fresh food products?

Consumers should see ‘significant volumes’ of British tomatoes by end of March

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:31 , Martha Mchardy

Consumers have been reassured they can expect to see “significant volumes” of British tomatoes on supermarket shelves by the end of March as retailers impose buying limits to cope with a shortage.

The British Tomato Growers Association (BTGA) said shortages are mainly down to a lack of imports but the local growing season is due to begin soon.

The BTGA said in a statement: “Many people have commented on the current lack of fresh tomatoes in some supermarket stores.

“Whilst this is predominantly a consequence of the lack of imported product at this time of year, the British season will soon begin and we expect significant volumes of British tomatoes on shelves by the end of March and into April 2023.

Seasonal eating would solve shortage of tomatoes, Conservative MP suggests

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:30 , Martha Mchardy

Seasonal eating would solve the shortage of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables, a Conservative MP has suggested.

MP for North Devon Selaine Saxby asked in the Commons: “I wonder if my right honourable friend agrees with me that actually the supermarkets are still importing far too many produce for us and that actually we should be eating more seasonally and supporting our own British farmers?

“And if we were actually to move to a seasonal line of eating, many of these problems would be avoided and that there are great food products available from local farmers at this time?”

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey replied: “It’s important to make sure that we cherish the specialisms that we have in this country.

“A lot of people would be eating turnips right now rather than thinking necessarily about aspects of lettuce, and tomatoes and similar but I’m conscious that consumers want a year-round choice and that is what our supermarkets, food producers and growers around the world try to satisfy.”

Seasonal eating would solve the shortage of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables, a Conservative MP has suggested.

Shortages of fruit and vegetables ‘will be a temporary issue’, says Environment Secretary

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:27 , Martha Mchardy

The Environment Secretary said she hopes shortages of fruit and vegetables “will be a temporary issue”.

Therese Coffey was speaking after Labour MP Clive Efford (Eltham) told the lower chamber: “I always knew that Conservatives were a bunch of bean counters, but this is really off the scale. The fact (is) that our supermarkets have had to impose a form of food rationing, whilst the chief bean counter comes to the despatch box and says ‘crisis, what crisis?’

“Now, does she agree with the president of the NFU, Minette Batters, who’s accused the Government of a dereliction of duty for failing to ensure we have a fit-for-purpose post-Brexit set of border checks on agricultural imports?”

Ms Coffey said Mr Efford should “withdraw” the phrases he used because “I didn’t use those words at the despatch box”, before adding: “I have recognised and we do recognise this particular issue right now - that’s why the department is already in discussion with retailers, it’s why the minister will be meeting the retailers.”

She added that “the primary source for goods right now is from an area that was affected by very unusual weather before and after Christmas”, adding: “That’s something that supply chain has to try and manage. Right now, the supermarkets have chosen a particular way, that’s why we will continue to meet them and I’m hoping that this will be a temporary issue.

“This volatility is unwelcome but I’m conscious that our supply chain is resilient and that we will continue to invest in our farmers for generations to come.”

The Environment Secretary said she hopes shortages of fruit and vegetables “will be a temporary issue”.

Shortages of some fruits and vegetables may last as long as another month, says environment secretary

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:15 , Martha Mchardy

Shortages of some fruits and vegetables may last as long as another month, the Environment Secretary told the Commons.

Therese Coffey told MPs: “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.

“It is important that we try and make sure that we get alternative sourcing options. That is why the department has already been in discussion with the retailers.

“It is why there will be further discussions led by ministers as well, so that we can try and get over this and try and avoid similar situations in the future.

“Even if we cannot control the weather it is important that we try and make sure the supply continues to not be frustrated in quite the way it has been due to these unusual weather incidents.”

Ms Coffey also warned Labour to “be careful about making sure that we continue to have confidence in the food supply chain” as shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon asked a question on the issue.

Shortages of some fruits and vegetables may last as long as another month, the Environment Secretary told the Commons.

Ireland and other parts of Europe facing similar supply shortages, says environment secretary

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:01 , Martha Mchardy

Ireland and other parts of Europe are facing similar supply shortages, the environment secretary said today during an urgent questions session in Parliament.

Thérèse Coffey said: “Ireland and other parts of Europe are facing very similar supply issues”.

However, people living in Europe have been sharing pictures of their packed supermarket shelves to lay bare the reality of Britain’s recent food shortages.

Kate Plummer reports:

Europeans mock UK shoppers with pictures of full shelves of vegetables

Shadow environment secretary asks Thérèse Coffey to apologise for 'outrageous display' at NFU conference

Thursday 23 February 2023 10:30 , Martha Mchardy

Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon has Thérèse Coffey asked to apologise during urgent questions in Parliament for her ‘outrageous display’ at NFU conference yesterday.

The environment secretary was booed by farmers after she refused to accept that the Britain’s supply chain – hit by widespread food shortages – had seen market failure.

Ms Coffey rejected responsibility for the current supermarket rationing of fruit and vegetables, saying: “We can’t control the weather in Spain.”