Morrisons imposes rationing on customers with new 'two pack per person' rule

Customers are now limited to buying two packs of peppers each, after new rules were introduced.

The two packs per customer limit has been rolled across every supermarket in the country following a repeat of shortages of salad crops in February and March.

The supermarket said it is hoping to lift the cap over the next week or once supplies improve.

British supermarkets source peppers exclusively from Spain during the winter months, so "difficult" growing season can disrupt harvest.

British Retail Consortium director of food and sustainability Andrew Opie said: “Difficult weather conditions in the south of Europe disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables, including peppers.

"A few stores have implemented temporary limits on how much customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone. However, availability should improve for those impacted in the coming weeks as we enter UK growing season."

Waitrose, which has also been hit by supply problems, said it is working with suppliers to get its full range back on to shelves and expects stock levels to stabilise in the coming weeks as the UK moves into its growing season.

Supermarkets were forced to ration a range of fruit and vegetables earlier this year due to poor weather in Europe and Africa leading to shortages.

A string of supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Morrisons and Lidl rationed sales of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers in February with most restrictions remaining in place for several weeks until supplies improved.

Domestic supplies of salad produce usually takes over in late spring as the weather in Britain warms up.

However, rising energy costs have led to many British growers reducing or delaying the planting of their crops, to avoid paying the bills required to heat and light their glasshouses.

The National Farmers’ Union and British growers have warned that food producers were facing soaring costs of energy, fertiliser and other essential items, and in some cases were not being paid enough to cover the cost of production.

Some food importers also argue that the extra costs created by Brexit have put the UK at the back of queue for supplies from European producers when crops were in short supply across the continent.

Brexit has also led to higher transport costs and more paperwork, which can cause delays at the border.