![Empty shelves in Britain: Why did the market run out of tomatoes? [εικόνες]](https://www.iefimerida.gr/sites/default/files/styles/facebook/public/2023-02/aedeia-kafasia-rafi.jpg?itok=YoCu9jou "Empty shelves in Britain: Why did the market run out of tomatoes? [εικόνες]")
Britain is facing tomato shortages as supplies to supermarkets such as market leader Tesco and second chain Sainsbury’s have been hit by harvest problems in southern Europe and North Africa.
Traders said the situation was exacerbated by lower winter production in greenhouses in the UK and the Netherlands due to higher energy costs.
Problems for supermarkets in Britain
Andrew Opie, head of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents supermarket chains, said difficult weather conditions in southern Europe and northern Africa had caused problems with the harvest of many produce such as tomatoes and peppers. “While the problems are expected to last for a few weeks, supermarkets are able to manage supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure customers have access to a wide range of fresh produce,” he added.
Pictures abound on social media of empty fruit and vegetable shelves, with tomatoes particularly in short supply.
Although largely self-sufficient during the summer months, Britain imports 95% of the tomatoes it consumes and 90% of the cabbage available to consumers between December and March, according to BRC figures.
Spanish producers have also expressed concern.
“The situation is starting to cause concern, as some companies are starting to have problems meeting their customers’ schedules,” Almeria’s association of fruit and vegetable producers, Coexphal, said in a statement.
James Bailey, chief executive of the Waitrose supermarket chain, said supplies were affected by severe weather in Spain and North Africa.
“It’s snowing and snowing in Spain, and it was very welcome in North Africa last week – and that wiped out a lot of these crops,” he told LBC radio, adding that availability is expected to gradually improve.
Last year, British supermarkets suffered from supply problems due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but availability improved before Christmas, with the exception of eggs. Earlier this month, Morocco banned the export of tomatoes, onions and potatoes to West African countries in a bid to lower domestic prices and protect exports to Europe.
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