UK vegetable shortages could last weeks

February 23, 2023 by
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UK shoppers looking for salad staples like tomatoes and cucumbers have been coming up short, as supplies of these produce items are extremely low right now. According to Environment Secretary Therese Coffey, these shortages could last two to four additional weeks. Supermarkets such as Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Tesco have imposed limits on how many of these vegetables customers can buy at one time.

Roasted cauliflower & hazelnut salad from Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi has no peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers!

Although blame for the shortages has been attributed to bad weather in southern Europe, it appears that Brexit and UK farming policies also play a role. Jay Rayner tweeted that back in 2017 he advised Michael Gove in a letter that the “running down of UK farming leaves us vulnerable to external shocks.” In a long thread, Rayner lays out his theory, noting that the UK could get more of its produce from greenhouse growers, but that the government “chose not to help growers with their energy bills, because they have never understood food security.” He also opines about how Brexit made it more difficult for the UK to compete in the global food market.

Other pundits have weighed in on the shortages, noting shoppers’ expectations that every type of fruit or vegetable should be available no matter the season also pressure the food supply. As someone who is preparing to shovel a foot of fresh snow out of her driveway, I understand the desire for fresh green produce during the winter. If I had to eat only what was available seasonally in Minnesota, it would be a steady diet of potatoes, winter squash, and turnips for nearly six months. But I can’t argue that eating a lot of produce out of season fundamentally shifts the way food is produced and distributed.

While I do occasionally enjoy a vibrant green salad during the winter months, I have been investigating other ways to brighten up my meals without eating completely out of season. The EYB Library is extremely helpful in that regarding, allowing me to find new ways to use produce that is readily available. It is easy to both include and exclude ingredients from your search, so you can find something delicious no matter the supermarket’s limitations. My breakfast this morning, for example (Baked oatmeal (Gajjar no halvo)), came from Plant-Based India by Dr. Sheil Shukla. It contained mainly pantry ingredients save for a banana (that I plucked from my freezer) and carrots, which store well.

Category: Antipasto

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8 Comments

  • averythingcooks  on  February 23, 2023

    I have not seen many shortages in recent months in my small town Canadian grocery store produce section BUT I just paid an ASTOUNDING amount of money for 3 leeks. I grew leeks last summer and as I was slicing, cleaning, sautéing and loading freezer bags with “1 leek pucks”, my partner questioned why I grew so many. I used the last of them a week ago and believe me, as of today his question has been emphatically answered !

  • lisa11507  on  February 23, 2023

    Writing in solidarity to my fellow Minnesotan, but also to thank you for this wonderful blurb about the far reaches of farming policy, and how it’s an everyone issue that is often back-burnered until it’s too late. Excited to try Dr. Shukla’s baked oatmeal. Thanks for the rec.

  • Rinshin  on  February 23, 2023

    Not seeing any shortages here in Tokyo at all. I find many vegetables cheaper than what I normally pay in California. Fruits are abundant too but prices on some fruits are more than in California. But the quality of produce is superior than in California for most produce. Potato variety is more limited here in Tokyo. Corn is more expensive.

  • Rinshin  on  February 23, 2023

    I find leeks to be expensive in California no matter the season, I should also try to grow leeks at home. We normally have steady supply of fruits in season from our yard which we are very grateful.

  • Indio32  on  February 24, 2023

    Not particularly finding shortages let alone rationing in any small indy grocer here in North London. I wonder if numerous supermarkets announcing record profits has anything to do with it.
    One thing I have noticed is the price of onions has become quite eye opening. A number of supermarkets has stopped selling them by weight and instead sell in packs of 3 at say £1 which works out as around £2.50/kg (used to be 40p/kg). The price label says 33p/onion rather than the /Kg….. another reason supermarkets profits are rocketing?

  • Rinshin  on  February 24, 2023

    This may explain about onion situation in the UK: https://stellinamarfa.com/vegetables/where-do-onions-come-from-in-the-uk/

  • Rinshin  on  February 24, 2023

    For US onions in season and location grown: https://www.onions-usa.org/all-about-onions/retail/us-production-and-availability/

  • hhw  on  February 25, 2023

    The shortages in the UK and only the UK are due to Brexit and however much the UK government spins it it will still end up being Brexit related. I buy from my local market stall and they always have what I need if I get there early. supermarkets not paying a decent price to growers does not help either or wanting fixed price contracts too. The UK government has not supported English farmers post Brexit so they have been left in the lurch again. As I sit here in cold temperatures I do wonder why someone wants a salad and not a hot soup? Although the tomatoes I am using in today’s curry are from Spain and they as so tasty I find myself eating them like sweets.

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