Fruit, vegetables and salad ingredients may have to be rationed in the weeks ahead because of energy costs, according to the president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU). Minette Batters said shoppers may face rationing - with tomatoes and cucumbers the first in the firing line.
She said: "Everybody wants to avoid rationing, effectively, which is what we saw with eggs in December. But I think there are going to be challenges on availability of some food items," reports Sky News.
Produce grown in greenhouses - including peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, will be hit first, followed by potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli.
She added: "This is, of course, all driven by the price of gas, which has come down, but is still three times higher than it was in 2019."
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has already warned that tomatoes are running low in supermarkets thanks to poor weather in Africa and Europe. In summer the Uk usually provides its own salad crops - but may be unable to do that this year thanks to production costs.
The current shortage has been caused by 'difficult weather conditions' in Spain and Morocco, which have been hit by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and snow storms. Shortages this spring and summer will be caused by UK farmers not being able to afford to produce enough crops.
Andrew Opie, the director of food at the British Retail Consortium said: "Difficult weather conditions in the South of Europe and Northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes. However, retailers are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce."
Pictures from several supermarkets in the UK, including a Sainsbury's branch, show empty shelves on the fruit and veg aisle. Photos also show empty Morrisons shelves, alongside a sign that say the shortage is 'likely to improve within a couple of weeks.'
A sign in the Gyle, Edinburgh store reads: "Availability across our tomato range has been significantly impacted by adverse weather conditions across Spain and Morocco. The current shortage is likely to improve within a couple of weeks."
Several people have taken to social media to complain about the shortage with one saying it is 'not good enough' and just 'unacceptable.' One unhappy customer said: "I'm sorry Tesco, this is not good enough in your Dalmarnock store on a Friday afternoon.
"Lots more shelves with empty boxes throughout the store. Rising prices are bad enough but lack of basic foodstuffs is unacceptable."
Another said: "Is there a green/red/yellow pepper shortage? Been to 2-3 different supermarkets over the last few days and veg aisles look desolate, particularly salad veg."
Production problems in Morocco began in January with unusually cold night-time temperatures that affected tomato ripening.
These were compounded by ferry cancellations due to bad weather, affecting lorry deliveries.
The shortages are understood to be resulting in industry-wide gaps on shelves in the UK.
