Fruit shortages will hit UK if no-deal Brexit goes ahead, warns Sainsbury’s boss Oranges, lemons and other shopper favourites could be under threat if supply chains are held up

Oranges, lemons and other favourites could be hit by shortages if the UK goes ahead with a no-deal Brexit, after Sainsbury’s warned that supplies of fruit from southern Europe will be disrupted by a chaotic exit.

Chief executive Mike Coupe said it would be impossible to fully mitigate the impact of a sudden departure on 31 October, as fears that hold-ups at the border would leave products from the likes of Spain and Italy to rot. The timing of the current Brexit deadline means British alternatives to off-season products such as strawberries will be less readily available.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Coupe said: “It’s the time we move from the UK growing season into the growing season in Southern Europe. And of course in the run-up to Christmas, […] October 31st isn’t particularly helpful because our distribution centres are already creaking at the seams.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

“So whilst there are lots of things that we can do and will do to mitigate the potential impacts, there are a lot of things that we don’t know about and there will be knock-on effects.”

No-deal Brexit warning

Supermarket bosses have repeatedly warned that leaving the EU without a deal will create problems for their “just-in-time” supply chains since the referendum, but the issue has come to the fore this week with the publication of the government’s Yellowhammer document, which details the risks of a no-deal scenario.

Potential problems include shortages of key ingredients and price rises on some food items, which would likely hit low-income groups hardest.

Mr Coupe said the two-day long queues at the English border mentioned in the document would affect much of the grocer’s fresh food, which usually only has a shelf life of a couple of days.

Mr Coupe’s warnings also echo those made earlier this week by John Lewis Partnership chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield, who said it would not be possible to counter all the ramifications of a no-deal Brexit.