Twitter uproar over tomato shortage in stores

UK grocery market is currently facing a tomato shortage as pointed out by Brits on social media as well as industry reports.

According to British Tomato Growers Association (BTGA), growers are struggling to afford to heat their greenhouses due to rising energy prices which in turn are impacting all growers as tomato production is mainly reliant on greenhouses heating.

With energy costs continuing to rise and budgets being squeezed, tomato farmers have had to reduce or delay planting crops – leading to a shortage.

Apart from hike in gas prices, inflation in other areas have also impacted growers, says BTGA.

“Rising fuel costs has meant transportation costs are now higher. Other input costs such as seeds, fertiliser and feed have also increased between 100 and 400 percent,” Morley said.

“These are on top of the health checks on seeds entering the UK, to rule out plant viruses that can affect crops. Those costs are also passed on to the grower,” he added.

People are sharing pictures of empty shelves of a range of supermarkets on Twitter.

In order to grow, the temperature of tomato plants must be maintained. The plants thrive in warmer weather and do best at a steady temperature between 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Farmers have been struggling to afford heat for their greenhouses, forcing them to make the tough decision to reduce the greenhouses producing tomatoes or spend extra money. Some farmers have been forced to hold off on planting tomatoes, hoping for warmer weather outside in the future. This is leading to a lack of available supply now, as the growing season has been delayed.

Additionally, seeds and fertilizer costs have increased, making production more expensive for farmers. Rising fuel costs have also made it more expensive to transport products from farms to supermarkets.

However, National Farmers Union (NFU) has confirmed that these problems are currently affecting all fruit and vegetable growers across the UK – not just tomato farmers.

“British food is under threat… at a time when global volatility is threatening the stability of the world’s food production, food security and energy security,” NFU president Minette Batters told the BBC.

“I fear the country is sleepwalking into further food supply crises, with the future of British fruit and vegetable supplies in trouble,” she said.