Why is there a shortage of fruit and vegetables in supermarkets?

A combination of bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe has seen some supermarket shelves left bare.

This has led to some stores introducing limits on the number of products customers can buy.

Which vegetables are there shortages of?

There are short supplies of cucumbers, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes.

Are supermarkets limiting the amount people can buy?

In Asda, sales of tomatoes, peppers and lettuce are being limited to three per person.

Morrisons is limiting purchases to two per person.

Tesco are also limiting products, but Sainsbury's, Lidl, Aldi, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer do not have these limits in place yet.

Why is there a shortage of tomatoes? 

Retailers say cold weather and heavy rain had disrupted their usual winter supplies from Spain and Morocco, where we import from.

Tomato growers claim soaring energy prices in particular had led to fewer and later crop plantings, pushing back the start of the UK season and increasing the reliance on imports this winter.

Growers have scaled back this year due to soaring energy costs and labour shortages.

Norfolk tomatoes (Image: Newsquest)

How long will the tomato shortage last?

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents UK supermarkets, said: “While disruption is expected to last a few weeks, 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.”

What are farmers in Norfolk saying?

Rebecca Mayhew, of Old Hall Farm near Bungay, said the tomato shortage and energy crisis have proved the need for consumers to seek out seasonal produce.

"We are spoilt," she said. "If you want a salad at this time of year, make a nice coleslaw, or use beetroot and carrots or pulses."

Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting broccoli and savoy cabbage are all in season (Image: Newsquest)

Which vegetables are in season right now?

Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting broccoli and savoy cabbage are all in season in February.