Where are the tomatoes? UK faces shortages over import problems

By: News Team

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UK faces shortages over import problems

Britain is facing a shortage of tomatoes after supplies to supermarkets including market leader Tesco (LON:TSCO) and number two, Sainsbury’s (LON:SBRY)’s, will be affected by crop disruptions in southern Europe and North Africa.

Supermarkets said the situation was exacerbated by lower winter production in British and Dutch greenhouses due to high energy costs.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents major supermarkets, said difficult weather conditions in southern Europe and North Africa impacted several crops, including tomatoes and peppers.

“Although the disruption is expected to last for a few weeks, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure customers can access a wide range of fresh produce.”

Social media has been flooded with images of empty shelves of fruits and vegetables, with a special shortage of tomatoes.

Although it is self-sufficient in summer, the United Kingdom usually imports 95% of its tomatoes and 90% of its lettuce from December to March, according to BRC data.

Spanish producers also expressed concern and the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations of Almeria, Coexphal, said in a statement that some companies are starting to struggle to meet their customers’ schedules.

James Bailey, chief executive of luxury supermarket Waitrose, said supplies had been affected by extreme weather in Spain and North Africa.

“It has snowed and hailed in Spain, and last week it hailed in North Africa, which is wiping out much of the harvest,” he told LBC radio, adding that availability should slowly improve. “In about a fortnight, growing seasons in other parts of the world will have caught up and we will be able to recover the supply.”

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