Amid already limited supplies, recent floods, snow and storms across the Mediterranean farming belt have lead UK supermarkets to start rationing certain vegetables affected by the shortage, including broccoli, iceberg lettuce and aubergines.
Supermarket giants Morrisons and Tesco have issued a limit on the number of items each customer can buy. Morrisons limits each customer to three heads of broccoli and two iceberg lettuces per sale in a decision that affects 492 of their stores. Tesco also put a limit of three heads of iceberg lettuce per customer.
Morrisons has responded by introducing a cap of three heads of broccoli and three iceberg lettuces to ensure there are enough to go around. 'As a result of the fact that the Spanish harvest has been very difficult this year, we have just about enough coming in to supply our customers,' said a spokesman.
Other supermarket leaders released comments similar to Morrisons but the calls haven't stopped customers taking the issue to social media. Amidst the shortage, shoppers around the country have been posting pictures of the empty containers where vegetables should be.
The limited supply doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon, explains Andrew Brady of Kirkcaldy-based fruit and vegetable supplies, Raith Fruit and Flowers Ltd.
“All the produce from Spain and Italy is causing major problems,” he said. “Iceberg lettuces are normally £6 a box. This morning the same box cost us £16. Aubergines are normally £6 they are now £24; courgettes at £5 are now £16.80. But it is not just these individual lines."
The shortage began with aubergines and courgettes and has now spread to other vegetables, salads and, potentially, citrus fruit. Consumers can now expect shortages of iceberg lettuce, baby spinach, mixed leaves, rocket, lollo rossa, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lemons, and oranges.
The Spanish association of fruit and vegetable producers, FEPEX, said it expected the shortage of leafy vegetables grown outdoors, including lettuce and spinach, to continue until early April.
