Food shortages – latest: Carrots, leeks and cabbages could run low in weeks as supermarkets ration

Growers also warn British-grown leek supplies could be exhausted by April

Brexit to blame for food shortages in Britain, chair of Save British Food says

Volumes of carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower could run low “within weeks,” growers have warned.

Jack Ward, CEO of the British Growers Association, said: “The industry is beginning to see the negative impact of last summer’s extreme temperatures and drought on UK crops.

“Volumes are running low as a result of the weather last summer and the situation has been made worse by harsh frosts around Christmas.

“Consequently we may start to see stocks of crops like carrots, leeks, cabbage and cauliflower running low within the coming weeks.

He added: “Europe has also been hit by adverse weather conditions and so supplies from other parts of Europe may be difficult to source until the new crops start to appear around June.”

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.

Tesco, Aldi, Morrison’s and Asda have introduced rationing, placing a cap of three items per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

Key points

• Carrots, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower could run out ‘within weeks'
• Shortage 'could last until May’
• Calls for emergency Cobra meeting
• ‘Rare’ tomatoes on sale for £500
• Ukraine supermarkets full of fruit and veg as UK rations

[23 February 2023 11:01 · Martha Mchardy]

Ireland and other parts of Europe facing similar supply shortages, says environment secretary

Ireland and other parts of Europe are facing similar supply shortages, the environment secretary said today during an urgent questions session in Parliament.

Thérèse Coffey said: “Ireland and other parts of Europe are facing very similar supply issues”.

However, people living in Europe have been sharing pictures of their packed supermarket shelves to lay bare the reality of Britain’s recent food shortages.

Kate Plummer reports:

[23 February 2023 10:30 · Martha Mchardy]

Shadow environment secretary asks Thérèse Coffey to apologise for 'outrageous display' at NFU conference

Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon has Thérèse Coffey asked to apologise during urgent questions in Parliament for her ‘outrageous display’ at NFU conference yesterday.

The environment secretary was booed by farmers after she refused to accept that the Britain’s supply chain – hit by widespread food shortages – had seen market failure.

Ms Coffey rejected responsibility for the current supermarket rationing of fruit and vegetables, saying: “We can’t control the weather in Spain.”

Environment secretary Therese Coffey at NFU conference (PA)