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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Abbie Meehan

Edinburgh Asda limits vegetable sales as supermarkets face fresh produce shortage

Popular supermarket Asda is putting a limit on the purchase of certain vegetables, as stores are set to face a shortage of fresh produce.

Customers are currently only be able to buy certain produce in quantities of three, as a maximum. These limits include cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, salad bags and one fruit - raspberries.

This news comes as extreme weather in countries like Spain and north Africa - including flooding, snow and hailstorms - have affected harvests and had a knock-on effect in the UK, limiting the sales of fresh fruit and vegetables.

READ MORE - Jet2 issues urgent warning for all Edinburgh holidaymakers travelling to Spain

Speaking to the BBC, an Asda spokesperson said: "Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and north Africa."

An Asda in the Leith neighbourhood of Edinburgh has been snapped with low stock of various vegetables, as disruption is expected to last a "few weeks" - according to Andrew Opie, director of Food and Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium.

Andrew added that supermarkets are "adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce."

The supply of crops such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers has been affected by unusually cold weather in southern Spain. In Morocco, floods have affected yields and storms have led to ferries being delayed or cancelled.

An Asda in Glasgow has put up a sign in their store to update people on the current produce shortage, and the limit on purchasing across the UK. The sign, which is pictured below, reads: "Maximum purchase: 3 units per customer on all lettuce.

"At this time of high demand and intermittent supply, we're working hard to keep our shelves stocked with items for everyone.

"We've always been proud to serve our customers with great items, and we'd ask all our customers to please shop responsibly so we can help make sure there is enough to go around."

The shortage sign in a Glasgow Asda. (Submitted)

Edinburgh Live reported earlier this week that bosses at Morrisons explained the reasoning behind the sudden tomato shortage in their stores.

Morrisons bosses have now put up signs in stores to explain the reason behind the lack of tomatoes. The retailer also told shoppers that it could last for a couple of weeks.

The Morrisons sign read: "Availability across our tomato range has been significantly impacted by adverse weather conditions across Spain and Morocco.

"The current shortage is likely to improve within a couple of weeks."

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