Price of iceberg lettuce in supermarkets has ROCKETED despite the vegetable shortage being over
Before the crisis the average price of an iceberg lettuce was 43p - now it's around 70p in supermarkets
SUPERMARKET lettuce prices have ROCKETED despite the vegetable supply crisis being over.
Earlier this year supermarkets were forced to ration lettuces after bad weather in decimated crops, causing a supply shortage.
Other vegetables - including courgettes, aubergines, salad leaves, broccoli and some types of peppers - were also affected.
Supermarkets were also forced to up prices as result of a whole range of vegetables as a result of the shortage.
But weeks after supplies have returned to shops and restrictions have been lifted supermarkets are still charging more than they were before it started.
The average price for an iceberg lettuce across all supermarkets was 43p, now shoppers face paying 70p - and in some cases 90p, according to data from MySupermarket.com.
MOST READ IN LIVING
Initially the problem was caused by prolonged snow and blizzards in the southern eastern area of Murcia.
The region produces 80 per cent of the vegetables sold in the UK during winter and an unexpected period of bad weather has severely damaged crops.
It meant that supermarkets were forced to go further afield to buy stock to keep vegetables on the shelves.
Experts told The Sun Online that the higher-than-usual prices are a knock-on effect from the problems that were experienced earlier this year.
“Supplies are still tight and there's still less produce than we would normally expect to be coming from Spain and other contingency supply areas in Europe,” a spokesperson for the Leafy Salad Growers’ Association told The Sun Online.
“The prices are where you'd expect them to be, given the challenges that are facing supermarkets due to the shortage earlier this year.”
Supermarkets also argue that they are still recovering from the crisis earlier this year.
A spokesperson from Waitrose said: “Farms were hit very hard by the bad weather and are still recovering, but as the weather improves prices are decreasing.”
A spokesperson from Aldi said: "While the situation has improved, it has still not returned to pre-shortage levels and we are still working with suppliers to ensure availability for our customers."
While a Sainsbury's and Tesco both said that they continue to "work with suppliers to maintain supply for customers."
An Asda spokesperson said: "We do our absolute best to keep our prices as low as possible."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368