The bosses of Britain’s leadng supermarkets are holding crisis talks with a minister to discuss the fresh vegetable crisis - amid a warning that shortages could continue into the summer.
Last year’s heatwave and drought has left stocks of traditional UK produce such as carrots and leaks in shorter supplies that usual, the British Grower’s Association said.
In comes as bad weather in Europe and North Africa, as well as import complications after Brexit, means stocks of cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuces and other salad ingredients are already running low.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer said he is hosting the talks with supermarkets on Monday as they struggle to fill shelves.
He is expected to grill shop chiefs about how the country found itself at the centre of supply crisis.
Representatives from all of the major supermarkets are expected to attend the meeting and will be asked what lessons have been learned to prevent shortages happening in future.
The wholesale price of some vegetables has soared in recent weeks, with tomato costs as much as quadrupling in the past year, from £5 a case to £20 a case, according to suppliers.
Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco and Asda have introduced rationing on some items to prevent customers’ hoarding stock.
Chief Executive of the British Grower’s Association Jack Ward told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that supermarkets would see shortages of other vegetables in the coming months.
He said: “We’re also going to see the impact that last summer’s drought had on the supply of more traditional UK vegetables, things like carrots, leeks.
“We’re going to start to run short of these crops much earlier than we normally would. And it’s going to be very difficult to find additional suppliers anywhere in Europe because actually Europe is suffering in weather terms from many of the same problems that we’ve had here in the UK.”
The Met Office has warned that the UK could be set to enter a freezing spell of weather in March.
Snow and frosty conditions are forecast for next month, which could impact the planting of asparagus, onions and rhubarb among other produce.
National Farmers’ Union deputy president Tom Bradshaw said the fruit and veg shortages showed the UK had “hit a tipping point”.
He added that before Brexit the UK sourced “very little” from countries such as Morocco, but “we’ve been forced to go further afield and now these climatic shocks are having a real impact on the food available on our shelves today.”
It comes after senior Tories last week sparked controversy for suggesting Britons should eat more traditional root vegetables.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey proposed turnips could be a suitable alternative to salad.
Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Sir Robert Goodwill suggested households should return to eat seasonal produce, such as leeks and parsnips, and embrace the “traditional skill” of growing it at home.
