One of the UK's leading fresh produce importers has laid out the reasons for the shortages in the UK and said the supermarkets are "totally to blame". Simon Lane, the owner and managing director of Fruco based in Crowborough, East Sussex, said that until British supermarkets start paying a fair price for fresh produce then the UK will always lose out to Europe.
He was speaking after pictures showed empty shelves across Welsh supermarkets but stalls brimming with tomatoes in peppers in countries like Spain, France and Italy. In addition, small independent greengrocers seem to be adequately stocked.
All of the following are undoubtedly factors in the UK's current food shortage; bad weather in Spain and Morocco, greater post-Brexit reliance on sourcing from Morocco, higher costs for UK producers resulting in them growing less and increased supply chain friction due to Brexit. Read more about Why there is a national shortage of tomatoes here.
