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Lettuce shortage: Vegetable rationing spurs rise in sale of seeds as British people turn to grow own greens
A shortage of certain vegetables in UK supermarkets has spurred a rise in the sale of seeds.
UK retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, have in recent weeks started rationing lettuce, courgettes and aubergines after floods and storms ruined crops in southern Europe, squeezing supply. Some experts say that the shortage is expected to last until April or May.
The problem has now become so serious that UK consumers have turned to growing their own greens, according to homes and garden retailer Wilko.
Online volume sales of seeds and bulbs jumped by 272 per cent on the week that ended 5 February compared to the same period last year, said the retailer, suggesting that shoppers are going back to basics and growing their own vegetables to get through the shortage.
A shortage of certain vegetables in UK supermarkets has spurred a rise in the sale of seeds.
UK retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, have in recent weeks started rationing lettuce, courgettes and aubergines after floods and storms ruined crops in southern Europe, squeezing supply. Some experts say that the shortage is expected to last until April or May.
The problem has now become so serious that UK consumers have turned to growing their own greens, according to homes and garden retailer Wilko.
Online volume sales of seeds and bulbs jumped by 272 per cent on the week that ended 5 February compared to the same period last year, said the retailer, suggesting that shoppers are going back to basics and growing their own vegetables to get through the shortage.