Produce Shortage leads to Rations applied in the UK

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#UnitedKingdom, February 24, 2023 – Supermarkets in the UK have begun rationing tomatoes and other vegetables in the face of a shortage caused by poor weather and supply chain disruptions retailers say.

Lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers and sweet peppers are all on the list of items that some of the country’s largest supermarket chains say each family will only be allowed a maximum of two or three.  

After photos of empty shelves began circulating on social media, and four supermarkets announced rations, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) took to Twitter to explain what was happening.

“Shortages of fruit and veg? At the moment poor weather conditions in Spain and Morocco have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes and peppers, but rest assured retailers are doing all they can to sort it” the agency, which represents the UK retailers, promised.

At the same time food imports into the EU seem to be doing fine, a fact not lost on many residents who question why the UK alone is suffering and whether supply chain issues compounded by Brexit have a part to play.

The BRC says the shortage is predicted to last for a few weeks.