In many English supermarkets, customers are currently faced with empty vegetable shelves. In particular, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are scarce. Supermarket chains Asda, Morrisons and Aldi started limiting sales to two or three pieces of vegetables per customer this week. Tesco is also reporting difficulties.
Philip Plickert
Business correspondent based in London.
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Klaus Max Smolka
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Stefanie Diemand
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The reason for the shortages are poor harvests due to a cold spell in Morocco and Spain, from where the British import a large part of their vegetables in winter. Morocco has partially restricted exports.
An aggravating factor in Europe, however, is that many heated greenhouses are reducing their production due to high energy costs, as the president of the British National Farmers' Union, Minette Batters, explains. Cultivation in the greenhouses is currently at its lowest level in forty years. "Many have completely mothballed their businesses," said Batters, who called for more government subsidies to the energy bill.
Dutch producers concerned
Otherwise, there could be prolonged shortages of tomatoes and peppers, as well as many salads, cauliflower and broccoli. "We all want to avoid rationing, as there was in December with the eggs." At that time, many markets had to restrict sales because egg producers delivered too little and bird flu was rampant again. British farmers are also complaining about the labour shortage exacerbated by Brexit.
In the Netherlands, too, many greenhouse operators have scaled back operations due to high energy costs. According to the statistics authority CBS, the companies that generate their electricity with gas engines consumed almost a third less natural gas in 2022 than in the previous year. The trade medium "Nieuwe Oogst" (New Harvest) wrote: "Many greenhouse operators have decided to close or reduce production during the winter months because of the high costs."
The Netherlands is one of the world's major agricultural exporters. Vegetable prices in their own country were a topic on the radio and in the press on Wednesday. The tabloid "De Telegraaf" addressed the difficulties faced by supermarkets in filling shelves. And prices are rising rapidly. A cauliflower today typically costs 2.50 euros, a year ago only 1.75 euros; Tomatoes have become more expensive from 2.80 euros to 4 euros. The industry association Groenten Fruit Huis called on consumers to choose seasonal products.
According to the cooperative Rabobank, which is particularly active in agriculture, the low mood of the greenhouse sector could be overcome. The industry is resilient enough to get through the winter, according to an analysis.
Gas prices developed less unfavourably than feared in the autumn. And many greenhouse operators have adapted and invested in energy-saving measures. Admittedly, costs have also risen due to higher prices for seeds and packaging, transport and wages. "But there was no panic."
In Germany, Edeka announced that there was no shortage of vegetables. "We can continue to ensure the supply of sufficient quantities to our markets," says the cooperative retail association. REWE and Penny let it be known that there were enough tomatoes & Co. to buy. Also in the future. But there is less choice and prices are rising. "The supply disruption in the procurement market is currently affecting the range of available varieties and the resulting market prices," said a spokesman.