In response to a shortage, British shops ration produce.

Some of UK’s leading supermarket chains have imposed purchase limits on certain fruits and vegetables amid a supplyshortage due to adverse weather conditions and the knock-on effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with the UK government warning on Thursday that the situation could last up to a month.

Tomatoes, peppers, capsicums, cucumbers, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower are among the produce being limited to around three for each customer by the likes of Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Aldi.

The shortage has been linked with bad weather in southern Europe and Africa as well as high energy prices in the UK and the Netherlands.

“We anticipate the situation will last about another two to four weeks,” Environment Secretary Therese Coffey told the House of Commons in response to an urgent question in Parliament. “It is important that we try and make sure that we get alternative sourcing options,” she said.