British supermarkets report shortages of peppers as Morrisons rations sales
British supermarkets are running short of peppers after a cold snap in Europe, leading some to limit the number customers can purchase.
In a repeat of the shortages of salad crops in February and March, another bout of unseasonably cold weather in southern Europe has disrupted the harvest of fruit and vegetables, particularly peppers.
As a result, Morrisons is limiting purchases of peppers to two a customer. The supermarket said it hoped to be able to lift the restrictions within the next week or once supplies improved.
Shoppers have been complaining on social media about shortages of peppers, with one customer tweeting a picture of empty shelves at a Waitrose branch in Harrogate, Yorkshire.
The supermarket chain said it was working with suppliers to get its full range back on to shelves. It expects stock levels to stabilise in the coming weeks as more UK-grown produce becomes available.
Andrew Opie, the director of food and sustainability at the trade body the British Retail Consortium, said the harvest of some crops in southern Europe, including peppers, had been affected by difficult weather conditions.
“A few stores have implemented temporary limits on how much customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone. However, availability should improve for those impacted in the coming weeks as we enter UK growing season,” Opie said.
During the winter, UK supermarkets source fresh fruit and vegetables from southern Europe and north Africa, and Spain is an important supplier of many crops that stock the shelves of British grocers.
Domestic supplies of produce such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce usually take over in late spring as the weather in Britain warms up.
However, soaring energy costs have led to many British
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