Adverse weather conditions in southern Europe and North Africa have reduced the supply of some fruits and vegetables. Some UK supermarkets have therefore temporarily imposed limits on the number of products customers can buy to ensure availability. This situation could last several weeks.
In Belgium, the situation is not as catastrophic, but that does not mean that there is no problem. In some Delhaize stores, for example, you can no longer find yellow peppers because, according to the chain, they have become too expensive to import. Initially, there was also talk of missing red peppers, but Delhaize eventually found a solution to this problem, according to a spokesperson.
“5 per customer”
But it was a Colruyt store that attracted all eyes. On the shelves of the supermarket in Hasselt, a poster appeared telling customers that he could only take a maximum of five iceberg lettuces. “Dear customers, due to the current bad weather in southern Europe, there is a shortage of all kinds of leafy vegetables such as spinach and iceberg lettuce. As a result, we are forced to limit the number of iceberg salads purchased per customer to a maximum of 5 pieces,” read the orange paper.
However, this was a local initiative which, according to the channel, was not necessary. The central management therefore requested that the restriction be removed. “There is absolutely no reason to panic or ration,” she said.
Colruyt admits that it is currently “difficult” to fill the shelves, but claims that it always manages to do so. The fact that the situation is sometimes confusing has several causes, according to a spokeswoman. Weather conditions in the south play a role, but there is also believed to be a virus raging in Spain and Morocco, causing lower yields. In addition, Belgium has reduced greenhouse cultivation due to high energy costs.
No problem
Discounters Aldi and Lidl also see no reason to ration. But Lidl also confirms difficult imports. This chain notes a drop in the supply of tomatoes from Spain and Morocco, “but we can still offer them”.
The difficult situation will not last long, because the local Belgian culture starts up again, and then local alternatives to the supply from the South will appear.
In the meantime, consumers will feel the shortage in their wallets. Fruits and vegetables – and food in general – have become considerably more expensive. Delhaize says the chain is trying to limit the impact of more expensive imports on selling prices to customers.