Feeling the SQUEEZE

Perfect Storm

Weather extremes are playing havoc with ingredient supply, costs and delivery. Restaurants throughout the UK are reporting major issues, related to inclement weather in Europe and high energy prices (particularly gas) impacting glasshouse growers. But there are other challenging factors, including an overreliance on imports during winter, competitive pricing strategies at British supermarkets, market volatility, a spike in prices of packaging and fertiliser, coupled with disease outbreaks. It’s a perfect storm – and one that’s proving particularly difficult to navigate, especially for the hardy tomato.

Morocco, Spain and the Netherlands are the main exporters to the UK, with over 90% of supermarket toms coming from abroad. It’s a market that continues to grow – in total, Brits spend more than £900 million on tomatoes annually. Premium varieties, such as on the vine, are proving particularly successful.

But there are fewer of them on the shelves. In fact, the National Farmers’ Union believes 2023 will be the lowest production of British tomatoes since 1985. That’s why food advocate organisations like Sustain are asking for more governmental help. They highlight UK farmers competing against low standard and cheaper food imports, poor farm incomes and worker wages, alongside intensive farming, which harms the climate and nature.

Recommended solutions include:

● New food supply chain codes of practice

● A programme to catalyse growth in better food trading and a more diverse UK food market

● Funding to stimulate local food enterprise, infrastructure and jobs.

The UK isn’t the only country facing a national shortage. Crop failures in India, prompted by heatwaves and heavy rains, have led to price hikes of 400%. It’s a prevalent issue in this region because about 40% of the population follow a meat-free diet.

Waiting Game

However, authentic wholesaler of Italian food, Casa Julia, is continuing to add to its range of tomato products.

“The season is late due to heavy rain in May, while there has also been flooding in the Parma-Bologna area, with a shortage of tomatoes in the north,” said Casa Julia managing director, Enzo Santomauro.

“Therefore, there’s pressure of supply on the growers in the south. But the price has appeared to be the same as the start of the season last year.

“Not many contracts have been signed by canners, waiting to see if August will produce a plentiful crop that continues into September. But Casa Julia has ordered 100 containers that have been allocated to major customers in Scotland, Manchester, London and the Home Counties.