Tomatoes and other popular vegetables are in short supply in UK supermarkets, with Asda being the first to announce that its stores will ration supplies.
Asda, a British supermarket chain, is the first to address the issue, imposing a three-item limit on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower, and raspberries.
Cold weather in Europe and Africa is bad news for retailers, as the United Kingdom relies on countries like Morocco and Spain for tomatoes during the winter.
Ferry cancellations have also impacted truck transportation, further limiting supply.
In the last three or four weeks, bad weather has also had an impact on Spanish crops.
“Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products grown in southern Spain and north Africa,” said an Asda spokesman.
“We have implemented a temporary limit of three of each product on a very limited number of fruit and vegetable lines, so customers can pick up the products they need.”
Growers in Morocco have been forced to contend with heavy rain and flooding, resulting in a reduction in supply.
It is not the first time in recent months global events have resulted in supply chain disruptions, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompting issues.
It comes as National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters called on the Government to do more in their support for British farming.
She said rationing will remain a threat until the chancellor does more to help UK growers with energy costs.
At the union’s annual conference, she says: “As the global population continues to rise, and parts of the planet become less suited to producing the food we eat, we have an opportunity, and a duty, to get the best out of our maritime climate.
“Secondly, in the face of climate change, we should be unwavering in our commitment to achieving net zero and contributing to our energy security through on-farm renewables generation.
“And thirdly, we should never take our food security for granted.
“But the fact remains, volatility, uncertainty and instability are the greatest risks to farm businesses in England and Wales today.”