MORRISONS stores across Glasgow are set to ration fruit and veg following a poor harvest in Spain and North Africa.

Gaps have been appearing on local supermarket shelves as the crisis bites and from tomorrow, Morrisons will only allow customers to buy a maximum of two each of tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces and peppers.

Poor yields from harvests on the continent and North Africa have hit supplies, which bosses hope will improve in the coming weeks.

Minette Batters, the head of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), told Sky News; “Everybody wants to avoid rationing, effectively, which is what we saw with eggs in December.

“But I think there are going to be challenging times around the availability of some food items.”

She pointed out that the 'last thing anybody wants to do is to create a level of panic buying'.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, added: "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."