Aldi and Morrisons have joined Asda by limiting what their customers can buy on certain fresh produce as shelves at many supermarkets are bare.

Aldi has placed limits on peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes as retailers warned the shortages are likely to last a few weeks.

An Aldi spokeswoman said, “We are limiting purchases of peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to three units per person to ensure that as many customers as possible can buy what they need.”

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents UK supermarkets, said, “Difficult weather conditions in the South of Europe and Northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes and peppers.

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“While disruption is expected to last a few weeks, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce.

“In the meantime, some stores are introducing temporary limits on the number of products customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone.”

Minette Batters of the NFU said shoppers could see limits on some vegetables from tomatoes to cauliflower as the UK is heading into “uncertain times” as production is already falling.

Batters said that “field veg” such are purple sprouting broccoli and potatoes could also be impacted this year.

She said, “Everybody wants to avoid rationing, effectively, which is what we saw with eggs in December,” adding, that I think there are going to be challenges on availability of some food items,” such as peppers and salad ingredients which are gown in heated buildings.

She warned in her speech to the NFU conference that “the clock is ticking” for the government to act and stressed that last thing anybody wants to do is to create a level of panic buying.”