There have been reports in the UK’s national media about empty produce shelves at the supermarkets, which they say are caused by Brexit but this may not be the full story.
Ernie Miller from Mark Murphy part of the Total Produce Group, said that it is predominately the weather in Spain which is causing the shortages. Spain had the first snow of the year last Thursday brought by storm Filomena, which left 300 trucks stranded in Vilena. The accompanying cold weather has seen vegetable supplies drop and prices soar.
Madrid has seen the heaviest snowfall in 50 years, 50 cm. The city also experienced empty supermarket shelves as supplies could not get through.
The cold weather with temperatures as low as -10 C in central Spain will last until Thursday according to meteorological agency Aemet.
“We do have some product arriving from Spain, Brexit has not helped the situation but any shortages are predominately down to the adverse weather conditions there. Some people are just jumping on the Brexit bandwagon.
“The UK trade, ours included, has been decimated by the lock downs and almost non-existent catering trade. We have lost 60-70%, we are still selling some to those companies who have adapted to other types of sales, but it mainly just our retail sales which are continuing.”
For more information:
Ernie Miller
Mark Murphy part of the Total Produce Group
Tel : +44 131 458 6035
E: ernie@markmurphytp.com
www.markmurphytp.com