Wet weather in the UK and Europe is continuing to cause significant issues for fruit and veg crops, leading to sporadic shortages of some items on supermarket shelves this week.
Analysis of supermarket availability by The Grocer shows strawberries in particular have been in short supply, with gaps present in Tesco, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Asda’s fresh produce aisles in recent days [Assosia].
Similar issues with raspberries have also been found, especially in Morrisons and Lidl, while the supply of avocados and peppers have also been constrained in a number of UK supermarkets.
It follows several weeks of wet weather across key growing regions in Spain and Morrocco, which supply a significant proportion of the UK’s fresh produce at this time of year.
The Grocer reported last week that farmers in the two countries had seen catastrophic crop losses, with up to 40,000 hectares of farmland hit by the storms and floods. The Spanish Association of Agri-food Cooperatives estimated the damage – centred on Andalusia – could cost the sector at least €35m.
Strawberry producing association Freshuelva said it expected exports could be down 50% year on year, with the storms “affecting both crops and production and handling infrastructure”.
Major UK retailers did not respond to The Grocer’s request for comment on tight supply. However, the Fresh Produce Consortium this week acknowledged supermarkets were grappling with supply issues.
“Shoppers may see price increases as the market adjusts to limited supply,” the FPC said. “We urge consumers to be aware, but panic buying will only make matters worse.”
Read more: Floods in Spain and Morocco set to hit UK fruit & veg supply
British growers have also been feeling the strain, with Abel & Cole this week warning it was facing tight supply, with the ground in parts of the UK “saturated”, while supply was further constrained by the impact of the floods in Spain.
Rain was not the only challenge, added the food delivery service, with low light levels also slowing production.
Abel & Cole’s fresh produce and quality control buying manager Caroline Dodds said its bok choi crop was usually sold in January but would not now be available until March “as crop is still standing in the tunnels”.
Its purple sprouting broccoli has also not grown as expected, and January King cabbages were also smaller. “Some of our farmers in the West Country have struggled to get into fields to harvest crops,” she added.
This problem was likely to worsen as, should the rain continue, planting for next season would become more difficult, one industry source told The Grocer.
It comes as the environment Agency had 64 flood warnings and 175 flood alerts in place across the country, with rain and snow warnings across the country this week. The Met Office has warned the changeable weather is expected to remain until mid-March.
Weather issues have also continued elsewhere in UK retailer supply chains. Dodds said citrus fruits were particularly challenged as they cannot be picked in wet and humid conditions, as it can lead to the breakdown of the fruit.
“We expect Spanish oranges and clementines will also finish earlier this year as the season was impacted by rain,” added Dodds.
“There is tighter availability of Mediterranean veg in general as they are not growing on as quickly due to the lower light levels,” she added.
And alongside the floods in Spain and Morrocco, shortages could also be driven by wider supply chain disruption caused by poor weather impacting the Strait of Gibraltar, which was shut for periods last week due to inclement conditions, an industry insider said.
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