Empty shelves are becoming a common sight in supermarkets while food prices are expected to rise due to unfavorable weather conditions in the UK and Europe, causing disruptions in the supply of fruits and vegetables. The Grocer, an industry authority, reports that strawberries are notably scarce, with noticeable gaps on the shelves at major retailers like Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Asda.
Shortages of raspberries are also being observed at Morrisons and Lidl, and several prominent chains are facing challenges with avocados and peppers. This shortage follows a prolonged period of wet weather affecting regions such as the UK, Spain, and North Africa.
According to The Grocer, farmers in Spain and Morocco have suffered significant crop losses due to catastrophic floods that have damaged around 40,000 hectares of farmland.
Freshuelva, a strawberry producing association, has indicated that exports could plummet by 50% due to crop damage and disruptions in the production and supply chain. The Fresh Produce Consortium has advised consumers to expect price hikes as the market copes with limited supply, cautioning against panic buying which could exacerbate the situation.
Abel & Cole has raised concerns about supply challenges resulting from adverse weather conditions in both the UK and Spain. Caroline Dodds, the control buying manager, mentioned delays in the availability of bok choi, usually found in January but now delayed until March. Additionally, issues have arisen with purple sprouting broccoli and citrus fruits due to the inability to harvest in wet Spanish weather. Dodds highlighted a general scarcity of Mediterranean vegetables due to slower growth caused by reduced light levels.
Flood warnings persist in various parts of the UK, with the Met Office forecasting erratic weather patterns in the upcoming weeks.
Furthermore, The Grocer reports broader disruptions in the supply chain due to adverse weather conditions causing the closure of the Straits of Gibraltar.
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