Smaller vegetables on Tesco’s shelves after floods hit farms

SHOPPERS will see smaller vegetables in Tesco after farmers’ crops were affected by extreme weather.

The supermarket is temporarily buying slightly smaller sprouts, cauliflowers, cabbages, and leeks from UK farmers struggling with devastating floods hitting parts of the country.

The move is part of efforts to reduce the risk of food shortages by boosting homegrown crops and cutting dependence on imports.

Heavy rainfall and flooding have affected growers since October, with areas in Lincolnshire, East Anglia, Cornwall, and Scotland affected.

Under the arrangement, farmers will supply the grocer with more of their crop and avoid having to sell at lower prices on the open market.

Tesco’s technical team worked with farmers and suppliers last year to ensure Christmas vegetables would not be in short supply as storms swept across the country. Tom Mackintosh, Tesco’s fresh produce and horticulture director, said: “By accepting slightly smaller sprouts, cauliflower, cabbages, and leeks, we can support the fresh produce industry while ensuring that customers are able to continue to buy British winter vegetables.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide support to our growers, farmers, and suppliers who are facing really challenging harvesting conditions.”

A spokesman from Sainsbury’s said it sold items such as sprouts, onions, potatoes, and cabbages that may be under or oversized, or slightly misshapen in its shops all year round. Several supermarkets have “wonky veg” schemes in place to minimise food waste.

One of the biggest growers of winter vegetables, TH Clements, based near Boston in Lincolnshire, reported that it had only had a handful of dry days since October, which had made harvesting difficult. John Moulding, its commercial director, said: “We have lost about 20per cent of our winter crops including sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, and leeks. We have had to race against the clock to get the vegetables pulled out of the ground to stop them from rotting.

“The flexibility that Tesco has given us has allowed us to maximise the amount of product we can get on their shelves.”

Tesco has insisted the slightly smaller winter vegetables will still have the “same great taste”.

Last February, supply shortages caused by difficult weather conditions in Europe and North Africa led to major supermarkets, including Asda and Tesco, imposing restrictions on fruit and vegetable purchases.

A report by researchers from the University of York and Anglia Ruskin University highlighted the risk of food shortages owing to extreme weather. Professor Sarah Bridle, at the University of York, said the food system faced “significant challenges. We are experiencing a growing number of extreme weather events, many driven by climate change.”