// Supermarket shelves have been hit by fruit and vegetable shortage after a wave of bad weather disrupted supermarket supply chains
// Volatile growing conditions has seen wholesale prices skyrocket.
Supermarket shelves have been left empty due to a shortage of fruit and vegetables caused by a wave of poor weather across Europe and Africa.
Volatile growing conditions including blistering heat, droughts and a deep freeze are being blamed for the bare shelves and skyrocketing wholesale prices.
The shortages include broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes.
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
One Tesco shopper shared an in-store notice that read: “Cold weather in Spain has impacted the amount of crop availability and resulted in poor quality. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
British Retail Consortium director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie said: “Difficult weather conditions in the south of Europe and northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes.
“However, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
