Food shortages heap more pressure on struggling restaurants and cafes

“We’re experiencing mass shortages with the supply of fruit and vegetables. We are struggling to get avocado and berries in particular,” Philip Inzani, founder of Polo 24 Hour Bar, a cafe and Bar in Liverpool Street, told City A.M. 

Inzani said that the business is caught between a “rock and a hard place” as he does not want to increase prices and “alienate customers”. 

But he hopes that he’ll be able to do enough to ride out the shortage.

“Spring is not too far away so with a bit of luck, initiative and ensuring that we don’t waste any of our produce we should be OK,” he said.

Simon King, owner of The Victoria in Surrey told City A.M.  that his pub was not heavily impacted by the shortages, but warned that demand is “outstripping” the supply. 

“Inevitably the costs of these goods are likely to continue to rise, which is another concern,” he explained. 

It comes as major supermarkets have been forced to limit sales of fridge staples such as tomatoes and peppers due to supply shortages, which could last until April or May. 

Read more at City A.M.