UK Supermarkets Ration Vegetables amid Crop-Devastating Storms in the Mediterranean

After vicious storms and snowfall ravaged the Mediterranean late last year, with unusually cold conditions extending into the New Year, supermarkets here in the UK have begun to impose limits on the number of particular vegetables that customers can buy at one time.

Spain, by far the worst affected region, provides approximately 50% of Europe’s vegetable exports, according to the Daily Mail. The severe weather the country has experienced recently has caused massive damage to many of the nation’s southern farms, resulting in shortages that could last as long as April.

The first product to experience disruption to supply was aubergines, but others soon followed. In response, Morrisons has imposed a strict limit of three heads of broccoli and two iceberg lettuces per customer across all of its 492 stores. Meanwhile Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, is limiting its customers to three lettuces per purchase.

The lettuce restriction is just the tip of the iceberg (sorry…), as the shortage is also expected to affect supplies of baby spinach, mixed leaves, rocket, lollo rossa, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lemons, and oranges.

Morrisons have stated that while they do have enough stock to fulfil customers’ needs, they have imposed the limits as a precautionary measure.

A spokesman for Morrisons said, “As a result of the fact that the Spanish harvest has been very difficult this year, we have just about enough coming in to supply our customers.

“We want to stop local tradespeople, restaurateurs, coming in and buying lots of stock. It is important that there is good availability for our customers.”

Tesco have announced that they are experiencing "some availability issues", and are restricting purchases "to make sure customers don't miss out”.

Britain’s second-largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, have stated that, “Severe weather has affected crops, but we are working with our suppliers to maintain supply for our customers.”

They are yet to impose any limit on purchases.

Meanwhile, discount retailers Aldi and Lidl have both claimed that they are “not experiencing significant availability issues”, and as such have no need to ration vegetable supplies.

Sam Bonson

Sam is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He is currently working as a content writer, journalist & editor in an attempt to expand his horizons.

16:19