Supermarkets to face vegetable shortages as farmers warn of low pay

Farmers have warned that current pay is not enough to grow certain vegetables as supermarkets face further product shortages.

Affecting staples such as cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, this comes following labour shortages as well as rising energy costs up by 165% and fertiliser up 40%, according to a Promar International report.

In 2020, the Lea Valley area produced around 75% of cucumbers and peppers in Britain, however by next year, production figures could be halved.

“Backing British growers by paying fair prices doesn’t seem to be a priority for supermarkets,” Lea Valley Growers Association secretary, Lee Stiles told the Times.

“The amount of British fresh produce on the shelves from our growers has reduced by at least half this year already but consumers haven’t noticed it, or don’t care.”

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Stiles added that 30p is lost by cucumber farmers on each sale, while making 40p per item as he added, “we are taking all the risks and for a really low price. If the price doesn’t go up, the British cucumber industry will definitely not survive.”

National Farmers Union’s Matin Emmett said: “The viability of producing fruit and vegetables is under the greatest strain I’ve ever seen.

“A continued lack of a reliable workforce, both in permanent and seasonal roles, combined with sharply rising input costs, particularly for energy, has put many businesses on a knife edge.

“If this pressure continues, it will be simply unsustainable for some businesses to continue as they are. In these unprecedented times, stability and confidence are critical.”

This comes as a third of UK farmers have cut the number of hens in their flock because they could not cover the cost of production, according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association.

As a result, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl faced egg shortages this month and Aldi is the latest retailer to pledge its support for the British egg industry, donating £12.5 million to farmers facing increased production costs.

Last week, Tesco and Waitrose also pledged £14m and £2.6m respectively.