Brits face empty shelves at supermarkets as shoppers issued ‘rising costs’ warning | UK | News

As the conflict in Iran continues to rage, UK shoppers could be faced with empty supermarket shelves after a growers’ association issued a worrying warning. Officials have warned that rising transportation and energy costs due to the ongoing war in Iran could force producers to halt fruit and vegetable production.

Many supermarkets in the UK may be operating with empty shelves, according to association members. Lea Valley Growers Association (LVGA) secretary Lee Stiles said supermarket shelves could remain empty if nothing was done to support the industry.

He said: “Growers are in the same situation now as they were when Russia invaded Ukraine, as wholesale gas prices are rising rapidly. “With rising costs, many growers think it is better to send their staff home and stop for the season and produce nothing.

“They will have to make a decision in the next few weeks about whether it will be economical to continue for the rest of the year.”

The Lea Valley Growers Association (LVGA) represents the UK’s largest cluster of greenhouse growers and produces most of Britain’s cucumbers, as well as sweet peppers, aubergines and tomatoes, grown in hundreds of hectares of greenhouses.

Greenhouse plants depend on controlled temperature and humidity; If growers cannot afford to turn on boilers and heat greenhouses, internal temperatures will drop and plant growth will slow or stop, leading to reduced yields, crop losses, and potential gaps in the fresh salad supply chain.

Mr Stiles added: “When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, supermarket shelves were left empty.

“Supermarkets agreed a fixed price with growers last year. Now they can intervene if they want and agree to pay more for the product due to the increased cost of production.

“But they look ready for shelves to be empty again and stocks to run low.”