Lidl has become the latest supermarket to ration fruits and vegetables in the wake of supply issues, according to reports.
Tesco last week joined Asda, Aldi, and Morrisons, in introducing purchase limits, amid shortages caused by bad weather conditions in Europe and Africa.
The domestic production of tomatoes and cucumbers is also lower than usual, as farmers have reduced planting amid the rising cost of heating.
Budget supermarket chain Lidl has now joined supermarkes introducing buying limits on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
A Lidl spokesperson said: “As advised to our customers through signage in our stores last week, adverse weather conditions in Spain and Morocco have recently impacted the availability of certain salad items across the supermarket sector.
“Whilst we still have good availability across the majority of our stores, due to a recent increase in demand we have taken the decision to temporarily limit the purchase of peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers to three items per person.
“This will help to ensure that all of our customers have access to the products they need.”
Shoppers are being limited to three items when buying tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers at Lidl.
Customers at Tesco and Aldi are currently limited to three items when buying peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Meanwhile at Morrisons, shoppers are limited to two items when buying tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or lettuce.
At Asda, the ration list is longer and extends to fruit too.
Shoppers are limited to a maximum of three items, when buying tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, bags of salad, broccoli, cauliflowers and raspberries.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has confirmed that the shortages are set to last for two to four more weeks.
The British Tomato Growers’ Association also shared that it is hoped tomato stocks will be replenished by the end of March or the start of April, thanks to the upcoming British tomato-growing season.
Minette Batters, the National Farmers’ Union president, said that the domestic production of salad, including cucumbers and tomatoes, has “fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1985”.
