Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Tomatoes’ shortage could last a month; Let us eat turnips, Coffey says

Tomatoes’ shortage could last a month; Let us eat turnips, Coffey says

Britons struggling to get hold of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers might consider turnips instead, the minister in charge of the country's food supply said on Thursday, adding that a shortage could last for another month.

On Wednesday, Britain's biggest supermarket group Tesco followed rivals Asda, Morrisons and Aldi in imposing customer purchase limits on salad after disrupted harvests in southern Europe and north Africa reduced supplies.


The shortage has been exacerbated as high energy costs has led to less winter production in greenhouses in Britain and the Netherlands.

Therese Coffey, environment, food and rural affairs secretary, said Britons could eat more seasonally, although she was conscious consumers had become used to supermarkets ensuring year-round availability of almost all produce.

"It's important to make sure that we cherish the specialisms that we have in this country," she told parliament.

"A lot of people would be eating turnips right now, rather than thinking necessarily about ... lettuce and tomatoes," she said, referring to the root vegetable traditionally available in Britain at this time of year.

She said the shortages could last up to a month.

"I'm led to believe by my officials after discussion with industry retailers...the situation will last about another two to four weeks. It's important that we try and make sure that we get alternative sourcing options," she said.

Meanwhile, Spain’s FEPEX association of exporters of fresh products on Thursday said the country’s vegetable and fruit production is recovering after taking a hit from adverse weather conditions, and supplies for export markets should improve soon.

More for you

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'
Woman Holding British Pound
Getty Images/iStockphoto

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'

Convenience store body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today (30) has warned the Chancellor about the negative effects of the new National Living Wage (NLW) increase, a day after the Chancellor announced a pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, with NLW rates rising by 6.7 perc cent.

From April 2025, the NLW will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 while 18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour to £10 - the largest increase on record, marking the first step towards a single adult rate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less