Cold weather in Spain and Morocco has sharply reduced the supply of vegetables to the UK market. In addition, disruptions in transportation and high heating costs of British greenhouses are among the other reasons for the decrease in vegetable supply.
Phil Pearson, Group Development Director at Britain's largest tomato grower APS Produce, who said that the tomato harvest was "swept to a later date" due to high energy prices, also stated that they decided to leave some of the greenhouses empty during the winter months to avoid lighting and heating costs.
Stating that tomatoes will be harvested in late April/early May, not in March, as a result of late planting, Pearson said that other growers are doing the same and therefore the market will be abundant right after Easter.
Vegetable suppliers in Europe and North Africa ship their products to other European countries, which pay higher prices, rather than the UK. Tim O'Malley, a major importer of Nationwide Produce, says wholesale spot prices for vegetables and fruits have increased 300% in recent weeks. Tim O'Malley said Spanish and Moroccan exporters doubled the prices of cucumbers, peppers, lettuce and onions as supermarket shelves emptied. He said that since the beginning of this year, the price of tomatoes has increased by one-third, and the price of zucchini by two-thirds.
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On February 21, 2023, Asda supermarket chain started the purchase of eight different vegetables and fruits; The Morrisons chain imposed restrictions on the purchase of four types of fruit and vegetables.
“We are limiting the purchase of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to three units per person so that as many buyers as possible get what they need,” said a spokesperson for Aldi supermarkets.