No rationing in Belgian supermarkets despite "challenging" vegetable imports

Belgian supermarkets see no need to impose restrictions on fruit and vegetable purchases, as is currently the case in many British supermarkets. However, retailers say that keeping shelves stocked has become challenging.

Poor weather conditions in southern Europe and North Africa have reduced the supply of certain fruits and vegetables. Therefore, some UK supermarkets have temporarily imposed limits on the number of products customers can buy to ensure availability. This could last for several weeks.

The situation is not so dire in Belgium, but there are certain challenges. In some Delhaize stores (one of the country's largest supermarket chains, ed.), yellow peppers can no longer be found because, according to the chain, they have become too expensive to import. In the Hasselt branch of the Colruyt supermarket chain, an announcement was made that customers could purchase a maximum of five heads of iceberg lettuce, a local newspaper reports. This later turned out to be a local initiative which was, according to the chain's management, unnecessary. The company, therefore, asked for the restriction to be lifted.

The problematic situation is not expected to last long, as domestic cultivation is starting again, and local alternatives to southern supplies should emerge.

Colruyt admits that filling the shelves is currently "challenging" but says it is still succeeding. The weather conditions in the south play a role, but a virus is also said to be circulating in Spain and Morocco, resulting in lower yields. In addition, smaller amounts have been grown locally in Belgian greenhouses due to high energy costs.

Discounters Aldi and Lidl see no reason for rationing, but Lidl did confirm that imports are under pressure. The company reported a lower supply of tomatoes from Spain and Morocco but "can still offer them".

The problematic situation is not expected to last long, as domestic cultivation is starting again, and local alternatives to southern supplies should emerge.

Fruit and vegetables have, however, become considerably more expensive. Delhaize claims it is attempting to limit the impact of increasingly expensive imports on retail prices.

(BRV)

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}