In addition to the shortages of some vegetables, according to British farmers, there is also a threat of a shortage of apples and pears in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the problems with the food supply are only “the tip of the iceberg”, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Vice President Tom Bradshaw warned in an interview with Times Radio on Saturday.
LOOK. The United Kingdom has a shortage of vegetables
The Guardian newspaper reported that fruit producers have planted only a third of the apple and pear trees needed to maintain the 5,500 hectare production area. One million new trees should be planted each year to preserve the surface, but there are only 330,000 this year. The main cause is “the unsustainable return of the supermarkets”, according to the British Apples & Pears trade association.
“Retailers are doing everything they can to keep costs as low as possible during this crisis,” explains Bradshaw. Farmers and growers cannot afford to invest in future production. “Many greenhouses should now grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and aubergines, but they are empty because the growers simply cannot take the risk, because they assume that they will not get enough income from the market.”
“Tipping point reached”
Added to this are rising transport and energy prices and adverse weather conditions in major exporting countries such as Spain and Morocco, Bradshaw notes. The UK has “reached a tipping point” and must “take control” of its food production again as the war in Ukraine and climate change are causing “global volatility”, the vice president warned.
This week, supermarket chain and market leader Tesco, following Aldi, Asda and Morrisons, decided to introduce restrictions on the purchase of some vegetables. For example, customers in Tesco can buy a maximum of three tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, while Asda, for example, has already introduced restrictions for lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.