UK supermarkets importing US salad after Spanish floods
Suppliers spoken to by the Guardian said yields in the region had dropped to as low as 30% of predictions due to the difficulties of harvesting under the current weather conditions. Celery yields have dropped to 40% of normal levels while some citrus crops, including satsumas and clementines, have also been affected.
“There has been a deluge of flooding in that part of Spain and they have got blocked roads, flooded dispatch facilities and mobile rigs for picking as well as crops that have been washed away,” said Anthony Gardiner of G’s, a major supplier to the supermarkets with operations in the UK and Spain.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “There has been a limited supply of our iceberg and gem lettuce due to weather conditions in Spain but deliveries to stores are now taking place. We are doing all we can to ensure customers can buy the lettuce of their choice for Christmas and Boxing Day.”
Aldi said it was experiencing shortages in some areas, but Tesco and Morrisons said they were not experiencing any difficulties in supply.
Anthony Gardiner said the past week had been “incredibly challenging” and that the difficulties could persist for weeks to come.
source: theguardian.com
