Some UK supermarkets limiting fruit and vegetable sales

Not enough food for world population.

"sourcing challenges"

impacted produce volumes

supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues 

working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce

back in the winter of discontent in the UK, 50 years ago, people survived somehow, with out all the grandiose language...

Another example of how many of the core assumptions our economies are based on are actually false. Rather than raising prices to match supply and demand, large firms often turn to rationing.

It's also a way for governments to hide inflation. The price remains the same but the goods aren't available.

Is "Let 'em pick their own vegetables" today's version of let 'em eat cake? Another "Brexit opportunity" for Brits to get on their bikes, perhaps? (not everyone can fly in their veggies fresh from India)

This will be the norm and we will be told to accept and like it.

The Netherlands plans on expropriating 3000 farms and allocating the land for other use by 2030, turning the country from and exporter of food to a net importer.

Germany will also become a net importer by that time.

This because of EU orders and IMF plans.

The UK may have left the EU but the impact of crazy EU polices will hit the UK as well as us even here in Japan

Some UK supermarkets limiting fruit and vegetable sales

Millions of Scottish shoulders shrugging ;)

AntiquesavingToday  02:51 pm JST

This will be the norm and we will be told to accept and like it.

The Netherlands plans on expropriating 3000 farms and allocating the land for other use by 2030, turning the country from and exporter of food to a net importer.

Germany will also become a net importer by that time.

This because of EU orders and IMF plans.

The UK may have left the EU but the impact of crazy EU polices will hit the UK as well as us even here in Japan

Anyone voting this down isn't paying attention, or is actively denying reality.

This is what happens when you destroy domestic farming and rely on imports from other sources. Take heed Japan.

Meat and two veg

No tomatoes, cabbages or cauliflowers yesterday. Got everything else, including broccoli. Only Asda and Morrisons are rationing veg.

The article states because of the weather there are shortages of some items as is the case in other European countries. It is not the end of the world.

The life of the British farmer was supposed to get better after Brexit but instead created another set of problems especially getting their produce to market.

Over the decades UK food security has decreased. In 2020, the UK imported 46% of the food it consumed, and 28% of the UK’s food imports came from the EU. Africa, Asia, and North and South America each provided a 4% share of the food consumed in the UK.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0177/

We need more skyscraper farms with indoor growing unaffected by the weather and supplying local markets. Powered by green energy.

Many European countries have very high food security.

1st Finland    83.7 

2nd Ireland   81.7   

3rd Norway   80.5   

4th France    80.2

https://impact.economist.com/sustainability/project/food-security-index/

Japan's food security is a little more than 50%.

The rising cost of food due to the energy crisis is more of a concern than shortages.

Groceries Prices in the United Kingdom are 24.3% lower than in Japan.

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_countries_result.jsp?country1=Japan&country2=United+Kingdom

A problem for British farmers is the lack of farm labor which greatly reduced after Brexit. When was a kid we were surrounded by farms and on weekends and holidays, we would go vegetable picking to earn some pocket money.

Many people today expect to buy food even out of season. They expect the stores to always have the items they want.

We buy as much local produce as we can not only supporting the community but also reducing pollution levels. We like to buy from the farmer's markets with good prices and even out-of-shape items the stores won't sell.

This is what happens when you destroy domestic farming and rely on imports from other sources. Take heed Japan.

While this is a genuine concern in the big picture, the small picture of the story is talking about non-seasonal produce. If Japanese people wanted to eat large amounts of summer veg in midwinter, it would have the same vulnerabilities. While it would possible to grow tomatoes in the UK in midwinter, it wouldn't be very sensible, especially given current energy prices. It would permanently raise the price of them, instead of them simply having supply variations and price rises depending on weather and input costs in Spain, Morocco etc.

British people in winter should eat turnips, carrots, cabbages, potatoes etc. Not bagged salad (which starts going slimy in about 36 hours) and tomatoes.

I haven’t had a really good tomato in years. Even the expensive “heirlooms” are flavorless. So I just drink whiskey.

cenobite Today  03:19 pm JST

Meat and two veg

Meat and ONE veg

I can sense a conspiracy myth entering the comments here. There's a plan to starve Europeans. And somehow, even though the UK is now stupidly not part of the EU, having won back "sovereignty", innit, the British will starve too.

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the sanctions on Russia. Maybe some more sanctions?

The Netherlands plans on expropriating 3000 farms and allocating the land for other use by 2030

I understand the purpose is to reduce pollution (nitrogen compounds) and greenhouse gas emissions which is quite an issue in the intense farming industry in the Netherlands. (It is estimated that 45% of the Netherlands greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture.) While controversial, the plan seems in line with general policies elsewhere. It seems that the Netherlands has about as many cattle and pigs as Japan with only about a tenth of the land area and population.

They tell you first to eat healthy and to not eat meat anymore , and then what do those cretins do? They limit sale of fruits and vegetables. Congratulations, that we are now governed by totally incapable elites everywhere.

They really want you all eating bugs, owning nothing and being happy for both of those.

this is just step 1.

Step 2 is to return to objective based reality.

That's a step too far for some....

this is just step 1.

step 1 is reading the article.

step 2 is not believing there is a secret plan to phase out tomatoes.

albaleo

Today 04:52 pm JST

The Netherlands plans on expropriating 3000 farms and allocating the land for other use by 2030

> I understand the purpose is to reduce pollution (nitrogen compounds) and greenhouse gas emissions which is quite an issue in the intense farming industry in the Netherlands. (It is estimated that 45% of the Netherlands greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture.) While controversial, the plan seems in line with general policies elsewhere. It seems that the Netherlands has about as many cattle and pigs as Japan with only about a tenth of the land area and population.

So here is the logic.

Reduce self sufficiency, increase buying from countries far less efficient and lower pollution and environmental regulations.

Cost more and have more problems like the UK is having now.

Some pointing out the high self sufficiency of many European countries.

That will be gone if EU and IMF plans are fully implemented.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy-environment/netherlands-buy-out-and-close-farms-meet-climate-goals

Germany has similar

Pointing out the low self sufficiency of the UK should be wake-up call to the rest of us.

Hey our food as locally as possible

They really want you all eating bugs, owning nothing and being happy for both of those.

Who is "they?" Complete and utter nonsense. I can't think of a single person who wants to eat bugs, and I fail to see how anyone would benefit from forcing anyone to eat bugs.

If you read the article, you'd find the shortage of goods is due to bad weather. Working in food procurement, I totally believe it. I've seen it in my own work. Oranges and orange juice crops, are looking pretty bad this year as the result of two hurricanes last year, as well as the spread of HBL.

Reduce self sufficiency, increase buying from countries far less efficient and lower pollution and environmental regulations.

Except the UK already exports nearly half of what they produce. No one is suggesting that.

Also, the Netherland example you brought up, specifically targets pork/beef producers. I don't really have an opinion on the regulation, but it should be noted how livestock production isn't exactly economically efficient.

And some supermarkets aren’t.

Eat seasonally, as far as possible source locally and you don’t have these problems. You also reduce the carbon footprint of your food thus helping the environment.

Personally I vary my diet according to the seasons and enjoy the variety this brings of fresh produce.

Jimizo....

Millions of Scottish shoulders shrugging ;)

For those who didn't understand this comment...

Until 1979 the only vegetables in Scotland were potatoes and swedes. They now have carrots and green peas in limited quantities. Sadly the only fruit available is canned, which the better off eat for a fancy dessert with condensed milk.

step 3: find a way to blame Putin and/or the orange guy

No one mentioned either of them.

You've obviously read the comments, who is the "they" you're speaking of, and why do "they" want you everyone to eat bugs?

They really want you all eating bugs, owning nothing and being happy for both of those.

Cards fan

Today 07:15 pm JST

Reduce self sufficiency, increase buying from countries far less efficient and lower pollution and environmental regulations.

> Except the UK already exports nearly half of what they produce. No one is suggesting that.

> Also, the Netherland example you brought up, specifically targets pork/beef producers. I don't really have an opinion on the regulation, but it should be noted how livestock production isn't exactly economically efficient

Except you forgot to mention even the Netherland and German governments are admitting they will both be met importers once the plan is fully implemented.

And the EU plans on doing it to every country.

France facing €500 million EU fine for not creating enough energy from solar wind despite lowering emissions below its agreed target.

EU bureaucrats put something on paper without even knowing the real world consequences.

Except you forgot to mention even the Netherland and German governments are admitting they will both be met importers once the plan is fully implemented.

Uhhh.. Except the Netherlands are already are. They're not "food self sufficient," and they're also the second largest exporter in the world.

Besides, what does any of this have to do with the UK? Another absurd, rightwing talking point.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

Mayor announces every London primary schoolchild to receive free school meals.

   Mayor proposes to provide a one-off £130m to ensure all primary schoolchildren in the capital can receive free school meals for the 2023/2024 academic year

   Emergency funding would help around 270,000 primary school children and save families in London around £440 per child across the year

   Given the lack of Government help, Mayor steps in to support families for the next year due to the impact of the spiraling cost of living

EU food security

There is no risk of food shortages in the EU. This is thanks to the well-established EU agricultural sector which is supported by the EU common agricultural policy.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/how-eu-countries-are-addressing-the-global-food-crisis/

There are no food shortages for you and me here in Japan.

Not “yet”.

https://www.ft.com/content/af52f367-90d2-41dd-9a0f-a2a7b1b9624a

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/08/29/business/japan-food-self-sufficiency-security/

Limits occasionally happen, and usually is on a honor system. More a precursor than a panic guys. With the way forecasting, expectations, and the world generally is, it's really not time to go down the rabbit hole

Pre-Brexit the UK had great supermarkets, great choice, fabulous supply chains (EU, Commonwealth and global), Europe's best connected air hub, a strong currency, low prices, a world class financial centre, easy access to labour, good trade deals, the best deals within the EU and low prices. It was one of the best places in the world to live and work.

Five years of Tories and their Brexit scam and the country is becoming a third world toilet.

back in the winter of discontent in the UK, 50 years ago, people survived somehow, with out all the grandiose language...

Indeed

Sinking deeper with your pathetic sanctions against Russia and your stupid Brexit??..

When UK left the EU, an opportunity to fully restructure and reform how as a nation we would support our essential and valuable farming communities.

To move away, ditch the regressive Common Agricultural Policy, its grotesque system of subsides, it  disproportionate spending on farmers/farming which results in most of Europe’s taxpayers handing a huge proportion of their tax money over to a handful of giant agriculture corporations.

European customers/consumers pay twice, firstly in direct taxation, then in the form of high prices.

Worst, is the disproportionate manner the subsidies are distributed.  

Small/medium sized farmers are hobbled from a system that distorts the market leading to overproduction and colossal wastage.

Whatever one’s opinion of Jeremy Clarkson personally his Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm gives/presents a valuable insight into the day to day trials and tribulations of running and managing a farming business.

These food shortages are a result of a pandemic that brought failed economic policies fuelling inflation , a broken supply chain model, a Government incapable of reforming or producing coherent policies to fully support our farmers, and an energy pricing crisis.

I hold my hands up a state I am biased, my UK family have farmed over a century.

The UK present system of over regulation, the appalling delinquent incompetent role UK local authorities agricultural development structure plays and creates a role in these shortages in the supermarkets.

As for Brexit and the challenges of employing skilled farmer workers, the answer is straight forward, pay them a living wage instead of exploiting them with temporary agency gang master practices, with little or no protection or entitlement to clearly defined terms and conditions.

Itsonlyrocknroll, well and cleary stated.

I agree.