UK Stores Bring Out ‘Two Tomatoes & Two Cucumbers per Consumer’ Rule to Restrict Sale of Fruits & Vegetables

A recession is looming over the UK as the economy is struggling and the nation is also dealing with a cost-of-living crisis. The rationing of fruits and vegetables is yet another issue that’s begun in the UK.

The sales of fresh vegetables have been restricted by Morrisons and Asda, two of the largest retailers in the UK.

Perishable foods including tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, and broccoli are no longer available for purchase. Each consumer is limited to purchasing two or three of these things at a time.

Asda, the third-largest grocery shop in Britain, was the first to enact the restriction, and Morrisons is anticipated to follow suit starting on Wednesday. Images of empty fruit aisles and shelves have emerged from locations in east London, Liverpool, and other regions of Britain.

As per the media reports, only three of each tomato, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower, and raspberry varieties are available for purchase at Asda.

According to a source, starting on Wednesday, Morrisons would only permit consumers to purchase a maximum of two of each tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and pepper.

What causes the shortage?

Fresh produce is in short supply as a result of poor overseas harvests and domestic farming problems. In the winter, the UK imports almost 90% of its produce, including tomatoes and cucumbers.

During the winter and spring, they are crucial to keeping supermarkets supplied. Britain produces only five percent of tomatoes and 10 percent of its lettuces during these months and transports the remainder from overseas, as per the media reports.

The harvests of a variety of crops have been hampered by challenging weather in southern Europe and northern Africa. Spain and Morocco, two of Britain's primary wintertime suppliers, are dealing with unusual weather.

Morocco's fruit production has suffered as a result of the last three to four weeks of freezing weather, torrential rain, and flooding that have plagued producers. The ripening of tomatoes was hampered by the harsh and unexpected night-time cold, which has notably hurt tomato supplies. Moreover, poor weather triggered ferry cancellations, which further hampered lorry delivery.