British farmers are sounding the alarm
Apples could soon be in short supply
02/25/2023 1:59 p.m
Unfavorable weather in the growing areas, increased transport costs and energy prices: British vegetable and fruit producers are already warning of a long crisis in view of delivery problems for some foods. Apples and pears could soon become particularly scarce.
According to farmers, apples and pears could also become scarce in Great Britain after vegetables. The shortage of some fruits and vegetables is just the “tip of the iceberg,” said NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw. “Retailers are doing everything they can to keep costs down during this cost-of-living crisis.” But farmers and breeders could not afford to invest in future food production.
The Guardian had reported that fruit growers had planted only a third of the apple and pear trees needed to sustain Britain’s 5,500 hectares of production area. According to the apple and pear trade association, the main reason is “supermarket returns that are not sustainable”.
On Friday, British vegetable and fruit producers had already warned of a long crisis in view of delivery problems for some foods. The reasons for the shortage are unfavorable weather in the growing areas as well as increased transport costs and energy prices. Several retailers such as market leader Tesco and the discounter Aldi have rationed the sale of some products such as tomatoes and cucumbers because of the delivery difficulties.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture sees no signs that there could be bottlenecks in the supply of vegetables and fruit, as in Great Britain. “The supply situation in Germany with fresh fruit and vegetables is currently secured,” said a ministry spokeswoman for the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”. However, there have recently been further price increases for certain types of fruit and vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, mandarins and clementines, among other things, have become more expensive.
The main reason is the unfavorable weather in the main growing areas in Italy and Spain as well as limited harvest quantities in Morocco and Turkey. In addition, there would be higher freight costs and the greenhouse production in the Netherlands and Belgium affected by the high energy costs.