Lidl becomes the latest supermarket to ration vegetables

Lidl becomes the fifth supermarket to ration vegetables as discount store imposes a limit on peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes

  • Supermarkets are rationing fruit and vegetables as shelves continue to be bare
  • Crisis due to soaring energy costs forcing farmers to switch off greenhouses 

Lidl has become the latest supermarket to ration vegetables as it imposes a limit on peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.  

Supermarkets are rationing fruit and vegetables as shelves continue to remain bare across the country. 

Tesco and Aldi joined Asda and Morrisons to ration fruit and vegetables last week. 

A Lidl spokeswoman told MailOnline: ‘As advised to our customers through signage in our stores last week, adverse weather conditions in Spain and Morocco have recently impacted the availability of certain salad items across the supermarket sector. 

‘Whilst we still have good availability across the majority of our stores, due to a recent increase in demand we have taken the decision to temporarily limit the purchase of peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers to three items per person. 

Supermarkets are rationing fruit and vegetables as shelves continue to remain bare across the country

Lidl has become the latest supermarket to ration vegetables as it imposes a limit on peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes (stock image)

‘This will help to ensure that all of our customers have access to the products they need.’ 

The crisis has developed in recent weeks due to soaring energy costs which have forced British farmers to switch off greenhouses as they desperately try to make ends meet. 

Meanwhile, a ‘perfect storm’ of flooding, cold temperatures and cancelled ferries have caused major supply problems.

Food minister Mark Spencer has summoned supermarket chiefs to explain ‘what they are doing to get shelves stocked again’ amid shortages of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Mr Spencer said: ‘The current situation – caused by recent poor weather in North Africa – shows how dependent we can be on certain trade routes for some types of food.

‘I know families expect the fresh produce they need to be on the shelves when they go in for their weekly shop. That is why I am calling in supermarket chiefs to find out what they are doing to get shelves stocked again and to outline how we can avoid a repeat of this.

‘As we do our shopping, we should all give our thanks to the UK’s tens of thousands of farmers and food producers for keeping us fed throughout the year and particularly showing their mettle keeping the nation going during the pandemic.’

Tesco and Aldi are limiting customers to three units of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers as a precautionary measure, while Asda is also limiting customers on lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries.

The low stock of fresh fruit and vegetables in Tesco in Ely, Cambs, on Monday morning

There were empty shelves in the fresh fruit and vegetables aisles at shops again this morning – pictured is Tesco in Ely, Cambs

Morrisons has set a limit of two items per customer across tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers.

Retailers believe the problems stem from poor yields on the continent and north Africa and that supplies will improve in the coming days or weeks.

More to follow. 

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Northern Lights to make spectacular showing over UK skies tonight
Next post Man is blasted for smoking next to a pregnant woman at a concert