[ACCI-CAVIE] Morocco’s limits on vegetable exports aim to bring down prices and ensure markets are well supplied.

UK’s market is experiencing a severe shortage in tomato supplies following Morocco’s decision to restrict supplies in an attempt to control prices.

In the UK, individuals took to social media sharing images of empty sections in supermarkets in the space dedicated to tomatoes. Other pictures even show signs in supermarkets explaining the reason behind the shortage.

“I went into sainburrys last night. No eggs, no tomato the shelves weee completely empty. Prices of food that was available was sky high. Brexit Britain. Total disaster”

According to one report from agriculture produce-focused media, Fruitnet, the shortage in supplies is due to a multitude of reasons that created a “perfect storm.”

Adverse weather in Spain and Morocco, flooding, cold temperatures, and canceled ferries have all contributed to the drop in tomato supplies to the UK, importers told the media.

“In the North African country, growers and suppliers have had to contend with a “perfect storm” of cold temperatures, heavy rain, flooding, and canceled ferries over the past three to four weeks – all of which have seriously affected the volume of fruit reaching Britain,” the report says.

Supplies from Spain– another major supplier of tomatoes in the EU – have also been affected by the weather. These conditions led food services, and catering businesses to receive reduced deliveries as wholesalers resort to spreading out the limited supply, the report adds.

The current supply situation is “all a bit doom and gloom” and “a matter of keeping as many people happy as possible,” one British fresh produce business owner told the media.

“We’ve got a lot of fruit programmed with various clients around the UK and we’ve been having to cut orders back here and there to make sure people have the fruit,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

The supply shortages have equally affected prices, as they have sky-rocketed rising up to three times than normal levels.

By Jihane Rahhou and LB