Rationing at some shops has started as retail experts warn fruit and veg shortages could last for 'a few weeks'.

Aldi and Tesco have become the latest supermarkets to introduce limits on a number of fresh food items as retailers struggle to stock some produce in sufficient numbers.

A combination of bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe has seen UK supermarket shelves left bare of tomatoes, as well as now dwindling stocks of some other fresh produce including cucumbers, peppers and lettuce.

The British Retail Consortium says it expects the issues with ordinarily reliable supply chains to last for a few weeks - but that the British growing season would soon help bolster available stock on the shelves as the weather warms up and local producers begin supplying the big supermarkets.

But in signs reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic, when shortages of items including toilet roll and cold and flu medicines led to caps for customers, some stores are once again now introducing product limits for shoppers for items they're struggling to get on the shelves in large numbers.

Asda was the first to introduce limits on a number of items in its fresh food range.

The supermarket giant, which has hundreds of stores across the country, is limiting customers wishing to purchase tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries to three of every item.

The restrictions apply to both online shoppers and those going to a store.

Morrisons has introduced a limit of two items per customer for its tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers while Aldi will not let customers by any more than three of its peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.

The country's biggest supermarket Tesco has put a limit of three items per customer on sales of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers - a move it says is precautionary to ensure fresh produce is there for all customers.

Pictures of empty salad aisles have been circulating on social media this week as shoppers express their frustration at being greeted with rows of bare shelves and boxes with very few items available to buy.

Signs in some Tesco stores which apologise for the lack of stock, explain cold weather in Spain has impacted 'crop availability' and also resulted in the 'poor quality' of some popular items it would ordinarily sell.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium confirmed that parts of the continent were experiencing a 'disrupted harvest' but that it expected to limits to only be temporary.

He said: "Difficult weather conditions in the South of Europe and Northern Africa have disrupted harvest for some fruit and vegetables including tomatoes and peppers. While disruption is expected to last a few weeks, supermarkets are adept at managing supply chain issues and are working with farmers to ensure that customers are able to access a wide range of fresh produce.

"In the meantime, some stores are introducing temporary limits on the number of products customers can buy to ensure availability for everyone."