Shoppers across south east London have been reporting a lack of tomatoes and other fresh produce at supermarkets – as shortages hit the UK.
They’ve been finding a lack of fresh produce at a number of supermarket chains across the area.
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), this is a result of poor weather conditions in North Africa and South Europe.
One shopper, Kathleen Mary Hogal, described said that she was told at the Asda store in Bluewater that tomatoes are on “rations”.
Kathleen said: “Asda Bluewater on Saturday had no fruit and veg mid-afternoon.
“When I spoke to staff they said it's been like it for a while.
“When they do get tomatoes in, they are rationed”.
Asda confirmed that it has placed a limit of three on a “small number” of fruit and vegetable lines to ensure customers can purchase what they need.
A spokesperson for Asda said: “Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and north Africa.
“We have introduced a temporary limit of three of each product on a very small number of fruit and vegetable lines, so customers can pick up the products they are looking for”.
Another shopper from south east London, Andie CoCo, said she had seen a decrease in the quality of tomatoes produced - that the ones available are “not ripe at all”.
She said that finding them has become “so hard” in recent times.
Shoppers have also taken to Twitter sharing photos of empty shelves at a number of supermarkets.
A shortage of tomatoes was also reported on Twitter by user @KulbinderM at a Tesco store in Woolwich - with a photo showing empty shelves and a caption that says “Tesco in Woolwich on Sunday – no tomatoes”.
Tesco said that alongside other retailers in the industry, it has seen some temporary supply challenges in tomatoes lines due to poor weather.
It does not have a buying limit in place, and is working hard to ensure availability for their customers.
A shortage was reported in the Sainsbury’s in Bromley by Twitter user @BeaGonzo who shared a photo of empty shelves with the caption: "Sainsbury Bromley area on Saturday 18th at 4pm".
@newsshopper Empty shelves at the tomato shortage continues in supermarkets across south east London 🍅 ##Tomato##TomatoShortage##Supermarkets#N#NewsL#LondonS#SouthEastLonxonJ#Journalism ♬ original sound - News Shopper 🤩
The issue was also reported by someone in Bexleyheath, when @jhlovessph tweeted that their local Sainsbury’s only had two packets of cherry tomatoes in stock.
Twitter user @jhlovessph said: "Same in Bexleyheath, no tomatoes in Asda.
“Sainsbury’s only had 2 packets of vine cherry tomatoes.
“Lots of empty shelves throughout both stores.
“Why is this?"
Same in Bexleyheath, no tomatoes in Asda. Sainsbury’s only had 2 packets of vine cherry tomatoes. Lots of empty shelves throughout both stores. Why is this?
— Jen 💙 (@jjhlovessph) February 18, 2023
Some shoppers have claimed that it is not just tomatoes in short supply.
Twitter user @imaginanter described how various Aldi supermarkets in Greenwich, Charlton, Lee and Eltham were out of multiple fresh produce items.
They said: "It wasn't just one store; it was the Greenwich store, the Charlton store, the Eltham/Lee store and the first two I tried three days that week.
“I needed mushrooms, Piccalo tomatoes, Cabbage and Cauliflower.
“None had all since Saturday!
“Managed to get some today thurs but only just!"
It wasn't just one store; it was the Greenwich store, the Charlton store, the Eltham/Lee store and the first two I tried three days that week. I needed mushrooms, Piccalo tomatos, Cabbage and Cauliflower. None had all since Saturday! Managed to get some today thurs but only just!
— Jennie (@imaginanter) February 3, 2023
Aldi told the News Shopper that it would be limited purchases for certain produce to ensure availability for all customers.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “We are limiting purchases of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to three units per person to ensure that as many customers as possible can buy what they need”.
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According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the shortage is a result of poor weather conditions in South Europe and North Africa that have had an impact on the harvesting of certain fruit and vegetables.
It says that supermarkets are working with farmers to ensure there is a supply of fresh produce for its customers.
Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Difficult weather conditions in the South of Europe and Northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes.
“However, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce.”
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