Lidl becomes latest retailer to ration sales of salad ingredients

theguardian.com:

Lidl has become the latest major supermarket chain to ration sales of some fruit and vegetables after an increase in shoppers looking for them after rival retailers implemented their own restrictions.

The UK’s sixth-largest supermarket chain said it had introduced a buying limit of three items per customer on peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers after a “recent increase in demand”.

While Tesco, Aldi, Asda and Morrisons have already implemented rationing protocols, Lidl had held off, instead posting signs telling shoppers there may be delays in some of its produce being restocked.

“As advised to our customers through signage in our stores last week, adverse weather conditions in Spain and Morocco have recently impacted the availability of certain salad items across the supermarket sector,” a spokesperson said.

However, a surge in demand at Lidl stores after limits were imposed by rivals prompted the retailer to follow suit.

“Whilst we still have good availability across the majority of our stores, due to a recent increase in demand we have taken the decision to temporarily limit the purchase of peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers to three items per person,” the spokesperson said. “This will help to ensure that all of our customers have access to the products they need.”

On Sunday, George Eustice, a former environment secretary, said he expected the shortages in salad crops to last three to four weeks.

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Mark Spencer, a food and farming minister, is to meet top executives at the UK’s biggest supermarkets to discuss issues including restocking plans and how to avoid a repeat of the