Is Brexit a major cause of the current food shortgages in the UK?

For Spanish residents - Are there any problems that you are aware of recruiting staff to work in the Spanish food growing industry?
 
It seems to be a mixture of circumstances, including Brexit, which are contributing to the shortages according to some Spanish growers. The problem of course is also with the consumer for wanting fruit and vegetables 'out of season'. I don't eat tomatoes all winter for instance because they are forced and have no taste.

There are no shortages that I'm aware of in France, but I don't often buy veg from supermarkets anyway with the proliferation of markets here.

www.theguardian.com

Spanish growers say weather, rising costs and Brexit caused UK salad shortages

Some producers point the finger at temperature shifts and others at bureaucracy and logistics
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
DearChicago said:
In Spain now, no shortages here.
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That doesn't mean there aren't though.

From that article above: "In a statement, the association – whose members account for 70% of Almería’s fruit and vegetable exports – said tomato production was down 22% on the same period last year, cucumber production had fallen by 21%, pepper and aubergine production by 25% and courgette production by 15%."

There's clearly an issue, but Spain and Morroco supply food products for many countries on top of their own domestic consumption.

Their own supply would be surely the last one you'd expect to be hit.

Our detachment from the common market and the fact we're further away will be exacerbating the issues for us on top of that.

New Zealand is also suffering shortages at the moment, that's not Brexit related.
 
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TeaCider said:
That doesn't mean there aren't though.

From that article above: "In a statement, the association – whose members account for 70% of Almería’s fruit and vegetable exports – said tomato production was down 22% on the same period last year, cucumber production had fallen by 21%, pepper and aubergine production by 25% and courgette production by 15%."

There's clearly an issue, but Spain and Morroco supply food products for many countries on top of their own domestic consumption.

Their own supply would be surely the last one you'd expect to be hit.

Our detachment from the common market and the fact we're further away will be exacerbating the issues for us on top of that.

New Zealand is also suffering shortages at the moment, that's not Brexit related.
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New Zealand to be fair have had floods, storms and earthquakes to deal with recently.
 
Redwurzel said:
There seems to be rationing going on in most supermarkets now for some fruit and veg.

Some of the media are saying Brexit is to blame. Some media in the EU are laughing at the UK and saying to UK is turning into the old Soviet Union and Cuba, with lots of empty shelves in the shops.

I am willing to listen to both sides, particularly interested in the views of food importers and producers.
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Yes. Next question
 
I loved how they have limited cucumbers to just 3, like everyone's going to the supermarkets and ordering a half dozen plus of them at a time lol
 
My wife runs a business making soup.
Is Brexit a *major* factor in the current shortages in the UK?
No.
Is it a factor?
Yes.

Simply put, Brexit makes every problem we face when it comes to food production in this country worse to some degree. There has been literally no upside to Brexit (sunlit or not) for her business. The impact on any one factor is usually quite minor but add them all up and it's like sand in the gears; nothing works as well as it used to and there's always a risk of something grinding to a halt.
 
My understanding is much as others. There is a shortage in production across europe. We get hit a bit harder than most because we are no longer in the EU so it's easier to "export" to other EU countries.
 
Laughing said:
My understanding is much as others. There is a shortage in production across europe. We get hit a bit harder than most because we are no longer in the EU so it's easier to "export" to other EU countries.
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Lets all emigrate!
Oh **** - no more freedom of movement :cry:
 
DearChicago said:
In Spain now, no shortages here.
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That’s kind of a key point isn’t it. Fact is the EU can retain its own food and get better deals with other markets to ensure food supplies are maintained. We as predicted will be last in the queue
 
Bruce said:
My wife runs a business making soup.
Is Brexit a *major* factor in the current shortages in the UK?
No.
Is it a factor?
Yes.

Simply put, Brexit makes every problem we face when it comes to food production in this country worse to some degree. There has been literally no upside to Brexit (sunlit or not) for her business. The impact on any one factor is usually quite minor but add them all up and it's like sand in the gears; nothing works as well as it used to and there's always a risk of something grinding to a halt.
Click to expand...
She just has to roll with it doesn't she?

I'll get my coat.
 
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