Farmers warn of more shortages in supermarkets

Shortage of labour for picking crops is also affecting industry demand within the country, with retailers opting to import produce from abroad. Energy prices have affected tomatoes in particular, due to the use of heated greenhouses. Lea Valley, which stretches from Hertfordshire and Essex to north London, produced around 75 per cent of Britain’s cucumbers and peppers in 2020.

The area – dubbed the ‘cucumber capital of Britain – could see production halved from its 2020 figures by next year.

Lea Valley Growers Association secretary Lee Stiles told the Times there will be shortages of British produce next year “across the board”, half of the group’s 80 members opted against planting vegetables due to anticipated financial losses. Mr Stiles said: “Backing British growers by paying fair prices doesn’t seem to be a priority for supermarkets. “The amount of British fresh produce on the shelves from our growers has reduced by at least half this year already but consumers haven’t noticed it, or don’t care.” Mr Stiles said cucumber farmers are losing up to 30p on every sale, as they make just 40p per vegetable while one costs 70p to produce due to rising energy costs - more than they are sold for in some UK supermarkets.

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Photo created by Mick Haupt - Unsplash
 

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