FULLY STOCKED FRUIT AND VEG STALLS ON PORTOBELLO ROAD
PLUS- why are supermarkets currently suffering shortages, and how are our traders making sure they are avoiding these issues?
Image: an almost empty vegetable shelf in a supermarket
Sales of some fruit and vegetables have been limited by most of the country's largest supermarkets, Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Morrisons.
It is largely down to bad weather in Europe and Africa. Soaring temperatures last summer, followed by much lower than averages temperatures this winter, have caused large quantities of crops to fail.
What types of fruit and veg are running low?
Tesco and Aldi are putting limits of three per customer on sales of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Asda has capped sales of lettuces, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflowers and raspberry punnets to three per customer, along with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. And Morrisons has set limits of two on cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuces and peppers.
Why is there a shortage?
In the winter months the UK imports around 95% of its tomatoes and 90% of its lettuces, most of them from Spain and north Africa, according to trade group the British Retail Consortium (BRC). But southern Spain has been suffering unusually cold weather and in Morocco crop yields have been affected by floods.
According to Nationwide Produce PLC, there are also issues regarding prices supermarkets are prepared to pay versus the cost suppliers are demanding in light of these issues.
Why do our greengrocers have fully stocked shelves?
Image: Cheryl Devlin of Devlins Greengrocers next to their cart outside the Electric Cinema, plus Kelly, Lyn and Alan of ALK Fruit and Veg Greengrocers
Stock is limited, however it is not unavailable. Our greengrocers are getting to their supplier market extra early (we’re talking you’ve probably only just warmed up your duvet, early) to ensure they have the highest quality and stock available for Portobello Road’s market stalls. As they are independent, family-run businesses, they are able to adapt to changes in the market quickly so that they are able to prioritise their customers’ needs. This is in contrast to supermarket chains made up of big teams and lots of different departments who have a say on decision making. Whatever you are looking for, our greengrocers are working extra hard to make sure you can find it all here in whatever quantity you need it in.
Find our greengrocer stalls running along Portobello Road between UKAI and GAILS Monday-Saturday, with some opening up for trade as early as 7am and finishing as late as 6pm.