Bad weather in Morocco led to empty shelves in UK's Tomato Aisles, study

The recent tomato crisis in the UK was caused by a combination of bad weather in Morocco and southern Spain, along with high shipping costs from Morocco.

According to a study conducted by British researchers, the shortage was further exacerbated by the country’s exit from the European Union, which led to a shift towards Moroccan food suppliers.

Steve Brewer, an expert from the University of Lincoln’s Institute of Agri-Food Technology, explained that the shortage of tomatoes was due to the unfavourable weather conditions in Morocco and southern Spain. The existing crop wasn’t sent to the UK due to high shipping costs, customs declarations, phytosanitary certificates, and other bureaucratic hurdles. This has led to a situation where many retailers are reluctant to absorb additional costs or pass them on to customers, resulting in an artificial stabilization of prices.

While the reasons behind the crisis are clear, understanding the specifics is challenging because sellers are typically unwilling to disclose their profit margins. Brewer noted that anecdotal evidence suggests that many retailers were hesitant to pass on higher costs or offer loss-making items at this time.

Brewer added that the tomato crisis is a warning sign for the future, highlighting that the world faces a comprehensive challenge of climate change and sustainability. He explained that food supply chains have become increasingly stretched and stressed in recent years, with the pandemic and rising energy costs adding to the problem.

The impact of the shortage was evident in UK markets, with pictures of empty shelves in shops circulating about a month ago. The tomato crisis serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead as we navigate the changing climate and strive towards a sustainable future.