Britain’s biggest supermarket chain Tesco followed rivals Asda, Morrisons and Aldi in imposing limits on customers’ purchases of certain vegetables, Reuters reported. The agency explained that the shortage of supplies to UK stores was due to problems with the harvest in southern Europe and North Africa.
Tesco has introduced a purchase limit of three tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers per customer, Reuters reported. She also pointed out that the British branch of the German discounter Aldi earlier on Wednesday announced the same limits. Asda imposed purchase limits on eight types of fruit and vegetables on Tuesday, and Morrisons imposed four on Wednesday.
Empty shelves in a Morrisons storePAP/EPA/ANDY RAIN
Britain’s second-biggest supermarket group Sainsbury’s, as well as Co-op and Lidl GB have yet to introduce limits, Reuters reported.
Fruit and vegetable shortages in the UK
The agency recalled that this week social media was flooded with photos of empty shelves in the fruit and vegetable sections of supermarkets, with tomatoes in particular missing.
“Severe weather conditions in southern Europe and northern Africa have disrupted the harvest of some fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes and peppers,” said Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents the larger chains.
Opie added that the disruption could last for several weeks.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/ANDY RAIN