Fruit and vegetables in supermarkets may look different this year due to heatwave, farmers warn

Shoppers may notice that fruit and vegetables look a little different in supermarkets in the coming months due to the scorching hot weather seen over the summer.

Farmers have warned that the recent heatwaves have resulted in reduced harvest numbers and stunted crops, with potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, and Brussels sprouts expected to be the worst affected according to Grocery Gazette . This means that retailers will have to make the best of what is available if they hope to meet customer demands as the Christmas period approaches.

This could result in wonky and shrunken fruit and veg being the new normal on the shelves, if supermarkets act on calls from the National Farmers’ Union. The NFU has issued an appeal to urge supermarkets to relax their specifications when it comes to these groceries to allow for imperfect products to be sold to customers, BirminghamLive reports .

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NFU vice president David Exwood said: “Vegetables are no more wonky this year, but with a smaller total crop we should make the best of every bit that is available and maybe many people will be happy to buy that. Everyone wants to see less food waste, so give the customers the choice this year.

“Let’s look at a slightly different specification. Some supermarkets are already offering this but we are saying why not make it more widely available?” he added. “We sell them slightly cheaper, and people love having a choice - giving people a choice is never a bad thing.”

Jo Musson, the National Farmers’ Union Holland county representative, added that supermarkets changing their fruit and veg specifications is a vital step in ensuring that the products don’t go to waste. She warned that potatoes and onions in particular will be “much smaller than normal” this year.

But the union has reassured shoppers that while the vegetables may look different, they are perfectly fine to eat. "I would encourage consumers to keep buying our British produce,” Jo said. “Vegetables may be wonkier or smaller than we are used to, but will still taste good."

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