Supermarket Confirms All Limits Will Be Removed by Monday

Aldi has announced that it will eliminate all customer limits on fresh produce starting Monday, as supply issues that caused widespread shortages begin to improve.

This move aligns with similar decisions made by Lidl and Asda, who are also lifting restrictions on fruit and vegetables. In a statement released on Saturday, Aldi confirmed, “From Monday (March 13), Aldi will remove all purchasing restrictions on fresh produce – including limits on tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.”

Lidl will also remove all restrictions on its fruit and vegetable sales by the same day. Asda has already lifted its three-item limit on cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower, and raspberries, although it retains a limit of three on tomatoes and peppers.

The overall availability of fresh produce has improved as anticipated, with supplies of tomatoes and peppers expected to return to normal within a couple of weeks. Shortages of tomatoes began around February 20, attributed to a combination of adverse weather conditions and transport issues in North Africa and Europe.

These shortages extended to other products, leaving shelves bare of cucumbers, peppers, and lettuce. Major retailers like Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl implemented limits of three items per person for certain vegetables, while Morrisons restricted customers to two items each on tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and peppers.

Production issues in Morocco, including unusually cold nights affecting tomato ripening, were exacerbated by heavy rains, flooding, and ferry cancellations, which hindered the volume of produce reaching the UK. Supply challenges from Spain, another major winter source, were similarly impacted by adverse weather.

Domestic producers also faced difficulties, having to reduce greenhouse usage due to rising electricity costs. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey drew attention when she suggested that British consumers should consider eating more turnips instead of relying on imported foods amid these shortages.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that the shortages of certain fruits and vegetables in UK supermarkets could be just “the tip of the iceberg.” Deputy President Tom Bradshaw noted that the UK’s reliance on imports has made it vulnerable to “shock weather events,” urging the need for the country to take control of its food production in light of global volatility caused by the war in Europe and climate change.