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Veg Shortage Extends Beyond Courgettes, With Tomatoes, Broccoli And Lettuce In Short Supply

'I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg (lettuce).'
By 

Life Editor at HuffPost UK

Earlier this week news of a courgette crisis brought sadness to spiralizer fans across the UK, but it seems courgettes aren’t the only veg in shortage.

According to the BBC, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, lettuce and cabbage are all facing dire times.

The shortage stems from poor weather in southern Spain, which has led to fewer crops being harvested.

This has coincided with a cold snap in Italy, where they’re having to import vegetables as opposed to export them.

As the UK imports an estimated 50% of its vegetables and 90% of its fruit, the shortage is hitting the nation hard.

While some seem genuinely concerned by the news...

The struggle is real, folks. #courgettecrisis in @sainsburys pic.twitter.com/9rf4Xld3fv

— Harry Wallop (@hwallop) January 18, 2017

So apparently lettuce, spinach, peppers, courgettes, broccoli AND tomatoes are all in shortage. This is everything I buy weekly. 😳😳😳

— She's So Lucy (@lucybirchall) January 19, 2017

As someone who sees courgettes as a food group, this whole shortage is killing me!

— Sarah-Louise (@SarahL_Bee) January 20, 2017

If butternut squash gets affected... #vegcrisis pic.twitter.com/DdvrmXT9QJ

— Cez (@le_petit_cochon) January 19, 2017

Others have found comfort in humour.

Britain in the grips of a national courgette, spinach, pepper, broccoli & salad shortage

I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce

— Mike Hall (@MikAlexH) January 19, 2017

"They mocked me for my allotment, well WHO'S LAUGHING NOW!?"

#courgettecrisis pic.twitter.com/ed5CsuLv7B

— Liam Stallard (@LiamStallard1) January 19, 2017


Some are refusing to let the shortage change their menu...

First world problems... standing picking spinach out of a bag of salad as Waitrose has a spinach shortage #fml

— Shelley (@mardybum_73) January 13, 2017

But many have suggested we should buy seasonal veg anyway.

Solution to courgette shortage = buy seasonal veg.

— The Poached Plum (@Dunnasead) January 19, 2017

A shortage veg coming to UK from abroad? Buy in season, grow your own. We can help you set up a veg patch so you never run out. 🍏

— ECGardeningLtd (@ECGardeningLtd) January 19, 2017

Meanwhile, some are distracted by the chance to make a profit.

Just seen the news there is shortage of fruit and veg due to snow in Spain and Italy, I have two courgettes for sale fiver each, pm me :)

— Eileen Deaks (@lightnlily) January 19, 2017

At least this gives us an excuse to break our vegetable-related New Year’s resolutions. Pass the biscuit tin.

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