What is the 2017 vegetable shortage, which supermarkets are rationing lettuce and broccoli and what’s the cause of the crisis?
There has been a UK-wide rationing of our greens as cold weather in the Med causes a vegetable shortage
THESE are dark times times for British vegetable lovers as UK supermarkets are forced to limit sales - costing them at least £8million in just four weeks.
Tesco and Sainsbury's customers will only be allowed a maximum of three lettuces per visit because of a shortage due to poor growing conditions in Europe.
Why is there a vegetable shortage?
Poor growing conditions in Europe - mostly Italy and Spain - has meant there is a lack of vegetable stock.
This comes from a combination of flooding, cold weather and poor light levels.
In winter months Spain's Murcia region supplies 80 per cent of Europe's fresh produce.
But the area has suffered its heaviest rainfall in 30 years - meaning 70 per cent of the growing fields are unuseable.
Italy has also suffered a cold snap - meaning the region is having to import vegetables they usually export at this time of year.
The effects of shortages are particularly notable in Britain, which imports an estimated 50 per cent of its vegetables and 90 per cent of its fruit.
The shortage cost UK supermarkets at least £8million in January as courgette sales fell by 58 per cent and spinach and salad — including iceberg lettuce — nearly halved after storms devastated crops in Spain.
Martin Wood, of retail analysts IRI, said: “Production problems in southern Europe are starting to impact sales quite dramatically.”
Which supermarkets are rationing lettuces and broccoli?
Supermarket giant Tesco has rationed customers to three iceburg lettuces per visit.
Morrisons has followed suit - and is also limiting customers to just three heads of broccoli.
A notice on an empty Tesco shelve read: "Due to continued weather problems in Spain there is a shortage of iceberg lettuce.
"To protect the availability to all our customers, we are limiting bulk purchases to three per person. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
A Morrisons spokesman said it had introduced a cap to stop local businesses and restaurateurs buying up all of its stock.
Co-op said it was not experiencing any shortages, and Sainsbury's said it was working to maintain its courgette supply for customers.
Lidl said: "We are working closely with our suppliers to maintain the supply of products affected by the weather conditions in Europe."
Tesco said it was "working with our suppliers to resolve them as quickly as possible" when asked about the lettuce rationing.
Which vegetables are affected by the shortage?
Iceburg lettuce and broccoli are the latest household vegetables to suffer shortages.
Courgette and spinach supplies have been severely affected over the past month due to the cold weather.
The cost of courgettes has been hiked the most, with prices now said to be "sky-high at the moment".
Aubergines, tomatoes and peppers are also affected - with stock from Spain down around 25 per cent.
Cabbages supplies have also suffered, with experts unsure where shortages may fall next.
How many iceburg lettuces can I buy?
Tesco is limiting customers to three iceburgs per visit.
Sainsbury's is limiting customers to just three heads of lettuce.
Morrisons is also putting precautions in place by only allowing two iceburg sales per shopper.
Asda say you can buy up to six at a time, while Lidl, Aldi, and the Co-op customers are still able to buy as many as they please.
Can I buy as many broccoli as I like?
- You can purchase up to six from Asda.
- There is no restriction in Lidl, Sainsbury's or Tesco.
- Three per person in Morrisons in permitted.
Are the number of courgettes limited?
Supermarket customers can buy up six courgettes in Asda.
There are no other restrictions in place by any other stores, meaning you can purchase as many as you like.
Courgette sales fell 58 per cent when the vegetable shortage hit in January.
What do the supermarkets say about when restrictions will end?
- ASDA aims to get back up to full supply as quickly as possibly
- SAINSBURY'S say they so not know when courgettes will be back in stock.
- TESCO hopes conditions in Spain will improve soon.
- MORRISONS say restrictions will be in place for as long as necessary to maintain good supplies for regular customers.
- LIDL do not have any restrictions.
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