VEG CRISIS
Supermarket shelves empty as supply problems hit
B ROCCOLI, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines are all in limited supply in Wales’ supermarkets.
Shoppers around the UK have posted pictures of empty shelves online as stores have implemented rations. Staff at one chain in Cardiff admitted they had faced “massive problems” getting hold of some foods.
Online a black market had emerged. Lettuce were being sold on both eBay and Gumtree.
One person, going by the name of Dave, was selling a box of 12 for £50 on Gumtree. It would normally cost £5.
On eBay one was being marketed with the line, “One rationed iceberg lettuce – help fight food poverty.”
Another was touted as a “very rare fresh Iceberg lettuce”.
Supermarkets have rationed the number of lettuces each customer can buy in stores, and iceberg, sweet gem and romaine varieties have been taken off sale completely by some online.
At Asda in Cardiff Bay the stress was showing.
“We didn’t have any at all in on Sunday,” one assistant said.
“We had to get these expensive American ones in.
“We’ve got some of the Spanish ones now but we still have shortages of courgettes.”
While the Spanish ones were being sold for 60p, the Californian ones were £1.20 apiece.
Courgettes were being limited to six per customer.
“Due to poor weather issues in Europe, there are availability issues on this product,” a notice read.
“To ensure we offer you the best quality there is a maximum purchase of six units.”
The problems have been caused by a mix of drought, flooding and freezing conditions in southern Spain. Poor conditions have also hit farmers in Italy, Greece and Turkey.
At Morrisons, staff said they had had “massive problems” but had not heard anything about importing US lettuce.
“We’ve just been making do with the gaps,” said the insider.
They had not had a courgette delivery.
A sign warned customers about “flooding in Spain”.
“We are sorry that the recent extreme weather in Spain is affecting supply on some of our fruit and vegetables including broccoli, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes.
“We are working hard with farmers to secure alternative sources.
“Wherever possible, we have tried to ensure there is a frozen or canned alternative available elsewhere in store.”
Experts have warned that if the weather does not improve in the coming weeks the problem may continue until April, with customers hit by price rises.
The lettuce shortage follows similar reductions in the supply of courgettes, while salad peppers, broccoli and cabbage supplies are also under pressure.
In Aldi, lettuce was priced £1.19.
“We’ve not had courgettes in since December and now it is starting to affect other products,” a member of staff said.
“We had the spiralized version in pots but that has gone now and we don’t know when we’ll be getting them in.
“They’ll probably be selling on eBay for hundreds of pounds.”
At Lidl, on Leckwith Road in Cardiff, there were iceberg lettuce – up from 42p to £1.19 – but no sign of courgettes. There were no staff around to ask if they had any.
At Tesco Extra, on Excelsior Road, boxes of iceberg lettuce were half full and a sign warned of shortages.
There were problems with other veg as well.
“We’re sorry there are limited courgettes and aubergines in store today.
“The weather has affected the quality and we want to ensure you only have the best veg available.
“Don’t worry they will be back soon.” at
At Sainsbury’s on Cardiff’s St Mary Street, there were no lettuce.
Workers were aware of the shortage but had not been warned they would not get any.
They thought they might have them today and suggested trying other branches.
They said they had had deliveries of courgettes but our reporter could not see any on the shelves.
Over the road at Tesco Express there were nine lettuce. There was broccoli, too, some reduced.
At their branch on Wood Street there were boxes of iceberg lettuce but a sign warned customers they were limited to three each.
“Due to continued weather problems in Spain, there is a shortage on iceberg lettuce,” it said.
“To protect the availability for all of our customers, we are limiting bulk purchases to three per person.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Spain normally supplies half the vegetables on the European market during the winter months.
Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was watching what was happening.
He said: “Clearly, there is a situation with bad weather on the Continent affecting some vegetable crops.
“Supermarkets are working hard to rectify any supply chain problems.
“They are confident that will be resolved swiftly.”