✕CloseBrexit to blame for food shortages in Britain, chair of Save British Food says
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Growers are warning of a leek shortage that will see British-grown supplies exhausted by April.
High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever,” Tim Casey, chairman of the Leek Growers Association, said.
It comes after the Liberal Democrats called on the government to convene an emergency Cobra meeting after four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets put limits on the amount of fruit and vegetables customers may buy.
It comes as growers warned that shortages of some fruits and vegetables could last until May.
That’s in sharp contrast to the environment secretary Therese Coffey’s earlier claim that issues would be seen for “about another two to four weeks”.
Meanwhile, supermarket shelves in Ukraine are bursting with fresh produce as the UK suffers a shortage of fruit and vegetables.
Tesco, Aldi, Morrison’s and Asda have introduced rationing, placing a cap of three items per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
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Show latest update
UK’s major growers delaying planting crops due to ‘high energy costs'
The Lea Valley Growers Association has said some of the UK’s major growers are delaying planting crops because of high energy costs.
It has about 80 members across an area that includes Greater London, Hertfordshire and Essex who produce around three-quarters of the UK’s cucumbers and peppers, as well as a lot of aubergines and tomatoes.
The Association’s secretary Lee Stiles told the BBC that high energy costs and low supermarket prices are making it harder for growers to earn a living.
Many are delaying planting or growing less and about 10% have left the sector altogether.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain24 February 2023 12:451677239926
Now leeks could be off the menu as British growers warn of shortage due to ‘challenging weather’
First it was tomatoes – now leeks could be off the menu as growers warn that British-grown supplies could be exhausted by April.
High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”.
Supermarkets are already limiting the sale of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables because of a lack of imports.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said on Thursday that British consumers should eat more turnips instead of imported food, but the Leek Growers Association said shoppers will have to rely on leeks grown abroad through May and June.
British growers warn of leek shortage due to ‘challenging weather’
They said consumers will have to rely on imported produce this summer.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain24 February 2023 11:581677237037
Watch: Brexit debate erupts after journalist says food shortages aren't affecting Ukraine
✕Brexit debate erupts after journalist says food shortages aren't affecting UkraineEmily Atkinson24 February 2023 11:101677235237
No 10 insists Brexit not to blame for shortages
No 10 has rejected suggestions that Brexit was to blame for any food shortages.
Asked if the UK’s departure from the EU was impacting shortages, the prime minister’s spokesperson said: “The industry and retailers themselves have spoken about the reason for some of the supply issues we are facing, notably poor weather in certain parts of southern Europe and north Africa.”
Emily Atkinson24 February 2023 10:401677233437
Therese Coffey was ‘celebrating’ British produce when she made turnip comments – No 10
Last night, Downing Street said that Therese Coffey was setting out the importance of “celebrating” British produce when she appeared to suggest that eating turnips could help avoid fruit and vegetable shortages in UK supermarkets.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “We don’t believe it is for us to tell people what they should or shouldn’t buy, that is entirely a matter for them.
“I think what the Secretary of State was doing was setting out the importance of celebrating the produce that we grow here in the UK but, ultimately, it is for individuals to decide what food they wish to buy.”
Emily Atkinson24 February 2023 10:101677231637
Now leeks could be off the menu as British growers warn of shortage due to ‘challenging weather’
First it was tomatoes – now leeks could be off the menu as growers warn that British-grown supplies could be exhausted by April.
High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”.
Supermarkets are already limiting the sale of tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables because of a lack of imports.
Read our report in full here:
British growers warn of leek shortage due to ‘challenging weather’
They said consumers will have to rely on imported produce this summer.
Emily Atkinson24 February 2023 09:401677230437
ICYMI | Cries of ‘shocking’ as Therese Coffey fumbles question about sewage and food shortages
✕Cries of 'shocking' as Therese Coffey fumbles question about sewage and food shortagesEmily Atkinson24 February 2023 09:201677228637
Supermarket value range shoppers ‘bearing brunt of inflation'
Shoppers relying on the cheapest supermarket ranges are bearing the brunt of grocery inflation with price rises on value items far outstripping those of branded and premium products, figures show.
The price of value items was up 21.6 per cent in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9 per cent, Which? found.
In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2 per cent over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4% and standard own-brand items increased 18.9 per cent.
Which? analysed inflation on more than 25,000 food and drink products at eight major supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Its findings suggest those who are likely to be already struggling to feed their families and pay their bills during the cost-of-living crisis are being hit disproportionately with the sharpest food price increases.
Some of the biggest price increases on supermarket value items include Sainsbury’s muesli rising 87.5 per cent from £1.20 to £2.25, tins of sliced carrots up 63% from 20p to 33p at Tesco, and pork sausages up 58.2 per cent from 80p to £1.27 at Asda.
Emily Atkinson24 February 2023 08:501677227002
Why supermarkets had empty shelves over the weekend
Shoppers have hit out after reports of empty shelves in supermarkets across the country at the weekend.
Morrisons has admitted a tomato shortage and a general lack of fresh vegetables is reported elsewhere.
Andrea Cowan, the SNP councillor for Rutherglen Central & North, posted a photo on Twitter showing a lack of veg at a site in her local area.
Matt Mathers reports:
Why supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons had empty shelves over the weekend
Shoppers were unable to get tomatoes at a Morrison’s supermarket as fresh produce sector continues to feel pressure from rising energy costs and a shortage of workers
Emily Atkinson24 February 2023 08:231677224420
Supermarket value range shoppers bearing brunt of food price inflation – Which?
Shoppers relying on the cheapest supermarket ranges are bearing the brunt of grocery inflation with price rises on value items far outstripping those of branded and premium products, figures show.
The price of value items was up 21.6% in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9%, Which? found.
In comparison, branded goods rose by 13.2% over the year, own-label premium ranges were up 13.4% and standard own-brand items increased 18.9%.
Which? analysed inflation on more than 25,000 food and drink products at eight major supermarkets – Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Its findings suggest those who are likely to be already struggling to feed their families and pay their bills during the cost-of-living crisis are being hit disproportionately with the sharpest food price increases.
Supermarket value range shoppers bearing brunt of food price inflation – Which?
The price of value items was up 21.6% in January on a year before, well in excess of overall grocery inflation of 15.9%.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain24 February 2023 07:40
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