The severe frosts that have been effective in Spain in the last days have not only affected our country, but also had consequences beyond our borders. The situation in England for weeks is proof of this. The shortage of tomatoes, which has already become a luxury product in the rare cases where they are available. This supermarket shelves devoted to vegetables are almost empty and the error is largely due to bad weather in Spain, one of its main suppliers.
As has been reflected in the British press for several days, the lack and rationing of tomatoes (when available, only the maximum sold per customer) is a constant cause of comments on social networks brimming with signs of anxiety and even anger.
Tomato production in the UK is very small and insufficient to meet national demand except in summer. Actually, during the winter months, 90% of the tomatoes consumed in the country have to be imported and most of it comes from Spain, as well as Morocco was affected by a similar weather situation.
The BBC contacted the Spanish Government to inquire about the reason for such a shortage, and Executive spokespersons confirmed that the supply of this product is “lower than usual at the moment”. Apparently, this is due to the weather: “There were unusually high temperatures from late summer to December”, and immediately “there was a sudden arrival of low temperatures in January, which caused a drop in supply,” according to the statements from the government to the aforementioned media outlet.
James Bailey, CEO of Waitrose supermarkets, told LBC:It snowed and hailed in Spain, and it also did so in North Africa, which destroyed a large part of the crop.He hoped that the situation would improve in the coming days.
Almeria Fruit and Vegetable Producers Association, Coexpal, admitted days ago that production has dropped by 22% compared to the same period last year and that some companies are having trouble meeting their customers’ shipments. Apparently, even the export of tomatoes is banned in Morocco to guarantee availability in the domestic market.
And Brexit is giving the move
But, The British media also blames Brexit as part of this situation.. The proliferation of bureaucracy for the entry of trucks from the EU to Great Britain means that vegetables are not arriving as quickly as before when the country is part of the Union. Every truck entering the UK requires filling out long and complex forms, they have to wait in long queues of several hours, and many shippers refuse to provide these services directly under such circumstances.
Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/64762429
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