The tip of the iceberg: Lettuce rationed on nation's supermarket shelves

Published: 3 Feb 2017

Vegetable lovers left reeling from the recent courgette shortage have been dealt a new devastating blow, as supermarkets confirm the salad days are truly over with a lettuce shortage on UK shelves. 
 
Supermarkets have rationed the number of lettuces each customer can purchase in stores and iceberg, sweet gem and romaine varieties have been taken off sale completely by some online. 
 
The latest eggplant in the face in the European vegetable shortage, follows similar reductions in the supply of courgettes, salad peppers, brocolli and cabbage. 
 
An extreme mix of drought followed by flooding and freezing conditions has severely affected growers in southern Spain, while poor conditions have also hit farmers in Italy, Greece and Turkey. 
 
Experts have warned that if the weather does not improve in the coming weeks the problem may continue until April, with customers hit by price rises. 
 
London retail analyst Rob Gregory posted a photo on Twitter of empty boxes in a Tesco and a sign that read: "Due to continued weather problems in Spain, there is a shortage on Iceberg and other varied lettuce products. 
 
"To protect the availability for all customers, we are limiting bulk purchases to three per person." 
 
Sarah Morton, from Manchester, tweeted a photo of a Morrisons shelf label stating customers could only buy a maximum of two each. 
 
She wrote: "Why? I don't get it @Morrisons £arewerunningout.. £lettuce & £HOWMUCH££" 
 
Supermarkets have been forced to look as far afield as the US west coast - more than 5,300 miles from Britain - to meet demand.

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