'Tomato shortage' hits supermarkets across north London

Shoppers have taken their concern to social media sharing pictures of empty shop shelves across the UK within the past few days.

In particular it appears that shops are low on stock of tomatoes.

The vegetable section in Morrisons in Edgware Road, Colindale, barely had items in stock today (February 19), with a particular lack of tomatoes and bell peppers on offer.

In Morrisons in Colindale, tomatoes and bell peppers could barely be found amid a shortage (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

In Hendon, the Sainsbury’s store also had bare shelves with stickers saying they were “temporarily out of stock”.

Sainsbury's in Hendon said vegetables were temporarily unavailable (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

Elsewhere pictures have been shared of no tomatoes in Sainsbury’s in Boardwalk Shopping Centre, Edgware.

Sainsburys, Edgware. pic.twitter.com/SyPi4e3j8u

— Danny Ryan (@DannyKudos) February 18, 2023

Smaller convenience stores in Willesden did have tomatoes in stock, but prices were increased this week to cater for the spike in demand.

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It is understood that many other supermarkets across the capital are likely to be affected, with other social media posts showing similar patterns in local Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl stores.

The blame has been pointed to soaring costs and Brexit (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

What is the cause?

According to stickers in place in Morrisons, the supermarket says that its tomato range has been “significantly impacted by adverse weather conditions across Spain and Morocco”.

It added: “The current shortage is likely to improve within a couple of weeks.”

The Grocer, a magazine devoted to retailers and grocery sales, reports that rising energy costs are contributing to the current issue.

Sorry temporarily out of stock reads a sticker in Sainsbury's (Image: Joseph Reaidi)

Dr Philip Morley, horticulturalist and technical officer of the British Tomato Growers Association, told the magazine that transportation is more expensive due to rising fuel costs, and seeds and fertilisers have increased “between 100 and 400 per cent”.

In December the National Farmers Union warned that the UK is “sleepwalking” into a food supply crisis – adding that soaring costs and Brexit red tape were contributing factors to crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and pears hitting a low level.

Have you had difficulty purchasing tomatoes or other fresh fruits and vegetables within the last few weeks? Get in contact at: joseph.reaidi@newsquest.co.uk and let us know more.