Following the news that supplies of tomatoes, and some salad items have been disrupted by poor weather Asda and Morrisons have both announced limits on sales of some fruit and vegetables.

A spokesperson for Asda told the BBC: “Like other supermarkets, we are experiencing sourcing challenges on some products that are grown in southern Spain and north Africa.” The retailer has capped customer sales on tomatoes, lettuce and peppers to 3 items of each per customer.

In a similar move Morrisons is to restrict sales on cucumbers and other salad items to 2 each per customer from Tuesday.

Speaking at the NFU conference yesterday, Farming Minister told delegates the disruption to the salad crop supply chain was due to severe winter conditions in southern Europe and Northern Africa, which, he said: “Damaged a lot of the salads and brassica crops, which we have traditionally relied on for imports at this time of year.”

At the same conference NFU president, Minette Batters warned that UK salad growers were hampered by rising energy costs this year but weather variation in other countries should be an opportunity: “There are three key lessons we can take from this extraordinary year.

“As the global population continues to rise, and parts of the planet become less suited to producing the food we eat, we have an opportunity, and a duty, to get the best out of our maritime climate. Secondly, in the face of climate change, we should be unwavering in our commitment to achieving net zero and contributing to our energy security through on-farm renewables generation. And thirdly, we should never take our food security for granted.

“But the fact remains, volatility, uncertainty and instability are the greatest risks to farm businesses in England and Wales today. Critically, those consequences will be felt far beyond farming, they will be felt across the natural environment, and in struggling households across the country.”