Greengrocers in Cardiff Market say vegetable shortages across Europe are forcing them to increase prices.
They also say they’re now using discount supermarkets to source much of their produce because wholesalers are too expensive.
Bad weather in Spain and across Southern Europe has devastated crops, meaning vegetables like iceberg lettuce and broccoli are in short supply.
Michael Yeates, from Yeates Food Stall, says its ridiculous when he has to “tell customers that an iceberg lettuce is two pounds.”
“Prices have doubled and trebled since Christmas.”
He says its cheaper for him to go to Lidl to buy his stock and sell it to customers, rather than getting it directly from suppliers.
But in an attempt to reduce the impact on customers Michael Yeates has decided to sell lettuce at the same price as it costs him to buy it.
“I’m buying lettuce for a pound and I’m having to sell it for a pound, just to keep my customers happy.”
Wholesale food supplier Halim Miah says the weather and Brexit are to blame.
“The weather is bad and the currency is weak, that’s the reason our prices are more expensive than before.”
“Its really tough for us, customers and users.”
Judy Griffin, a greengrocer from Fruit and Veg Limited, says much of her stock is becoming too expensive for customers.
“To be in line with the upper prices people aren’t buying it so then its going off and then we are throwing it away. So now our profits are down.”
Tesco and Morrison’s have introduced rationing in many of their stores to combat the shortage.
Customers are limited to three iceberg lettuces in both stores, and only three heads of broccoli in Morrison’s.
But Judy Griffin thinks the shortages in supermarkets are because greengrocers are struggling to supply restaurants and cafes with stock at lower prices.
Ms Griffin says, “Many of the restaurants and cafes are having to go to supermarkets to buy their produce because we can’t supply them like we were.
“Ordinary customers can’t go in and buy what they need because the restaurants and cafes have taken it all.”
Supermarkets say they are continuing to work with suppliers to ensure the impact on customers is reduced.
