// Sainsbury’s former CEO Justin King criticises government for not including supermarkets in energy support scheme following supply shortages
// He blames Brexit for “horribly hurting” UK supermarkets as they are forced to place limits on purchases of fruit and veg
Sainsbury’s former CEO Justin King has blamed Brexit for “horribly hurting” UK supermarkets following supply shortages.
Supermarkets in the UK are currently dealing with the dwindling supply of fruit and vegetables.
Tesco recently introduced limits on some fruit and vegetables purchases following supply shortages. It follows similar moves by Aldi, Asda and Morrisons.
Although supermarkets have said bad weather in southern Europe and north Africa has led to the shortages, King said a number of issues had led to the situation, including a decline in UK greenhouses that grow such everyday products.
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
He also criticised the government for failing to include supermarkets in its energy support scheme, LBC News reported.
King said that UK greenhouses, previously known to grow tomatoes, have suffered in recent years.
“These are products that we do produce, or at least have produced all year round in the UK,” King told LBC. “In north Kent, in Thanet, there are the largest greenhouses in Europe, which used to be full of cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. Sainsbury’s used to have year-round British tomatoes.
“But those greenhouses have suffered, really, from two big things. It’s a sector that’s been hurt horribly by Brexit but by far the biggest issue for that sector has been the government chose not to make it part of this energy support package this week.
“Without the support on energy, it’s not been economically viable to produce under glass this winter in the UK.”
