COURGETTE CRISIS
Prices soar as cold snap destroys crops
CUSTOMERS are being left to count the cost of courgettes and other vegetables after a cold snap devastated Mediterranean crops.
Many shelves are empty after the unseasonal freeze in Spanin and Italy, and one wholesaler in North Wales said prices have more than doubled as produce becomes increasingly difficult and expensive to source.
Similar problems are being reported by many supermarkets, with Tesco’s website showing “not available” signs for courgettes. A spokesperson said: “Due to bad weather conditions in Spain, we are experiencing a few availability issues but are working with our suppliers to resolve them.”
Sainsbury’s had also withdrawn courgettes from its website after experts said a “perfect storm” of flooding, cold weather and poor light levels hit crops, with some parts of Europe seeing prices almost quadruple. Lettuce, salad peppers, broccoli and cabbage have also been badly hit.
Wholesaler Geraint Owen, of Mochdre-based Tatws Trading who visit weekly markets at Llangefni, Bangor and Llanrwst, said the supply issues are expected to last for another six weeks and he has been forced to pass on price rises to customers.
“Courgettes are the biggest problem,” said Mr Owen. “We were selling them for 99p a pound, but we’re now having to sell them at £2.50 a pound – essentially cost price. As the crops have been largely destroyed, prices and supply aren’t likely to return to normal until the spring when they start growing in other parts of Europe and eventually the UK.”