National media is reporting on a fruit and vegetable shortage so we took a look at what it’s like in Watford.

Bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe have left shelves bare of tomatoes and are hindering the supply of other fresh produce.

Yesterday (February 21) retailers warned of low stock and some supermarkets are restricting what customers can buy.   

Watford Observer: Tomato shelves in Sainsbury's Tomato shelves in Sainsbury's (Image: Newsquest)

It is suggested that shortages could last for weeks.

We visited Sainsbury’s and Asda at The Dome roundabout on Wednesday, February 22, around 1pm to see what the situation is like here.

Sainsbury’s had a sign in its vegetable section that read: “Due to poor weather conditions, we are experiencing supply challenges on some of our vegetable and salad products.

Watford Observer: Sainsbury's: strawberries and raspberries (left) are out of stock. Right: the sign put up for customers. Sainsbury's: strawberries and raspberries (left) are out of stock. Right: the sign put up for customers. (Image: Newsquest)

“We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to be back in full supply soon.”

While the store still had some tomatoes on the shelves, vine, beef tomato, and majestic ripened tomatoes were all out of stock.

Only one punnet of raspberries and a box of strawberries remained next to temporarily out of stock signs.

Watford Observer: Out of stock signs in Sainsbury'sOut of stock signs in Sainsbury's (Image: Newsquest)

The last three butternut squashes were out, but again, another temporarily out of stock sign was on display.

And the same sign appeared in the location that normally houses nectarines and kale.

The story was slightly different across the road in Asda, as it has introduced limitations on some of the products that can be bought.

Watford Observer: The situation in AsdaThe situation in Asda (Image: Newsquest)

Signs appeared stating: “Maximum purchase: 3 units per customer on all tomatoes.

“At this time of high demand and intermittent supply we’re working hard to keep our shelves stocked with items for everyone.

“We’ve always been proud to serve our customers with great items, and we’d ask all our customers to please shop responsibly so we can help make sure there is enough to go round.”

Watford Observer: Asda has introduced a maximum purchase of three units per item for some of its products. Asda has introduced a maximum purchase of three units per item for some of its products. (Image: Newsquest)

Like Sainsbury’s, Asda had some part-empty shelves containing tomatoes as well as peppers, and customers were only allowed to buy three units per item.

This same rule applied to raspberries, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, and cucumber.

Despite the media hype, the empty shelves in Watford weren’t as bad as in other places in the UK.