SOUTH Essex shoppers are being met with signs warning of potential shortages on fresh produce including lettuces because of adverse weather conditions abroad.

Morrisons and Lidl have introduced limits on the amount of fresh produce shoppers can by due to adverse weather in Spain and Morocco impacting supply lines.

Tesco followed Aldi, Asda and Morrisons in introducing customer limits on certain fresh produce as shortages leave supermarket shelves bare.

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The UK’s biggest supermarket has introduced a temporary buying limit of three items per customer on tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers as a precautionary measure.

In Morrisons, along the London Road in Hadleigh, there were signs up for stock issues on salad, saying items had been “significantly impacted”.

The sign stated: “Availability across our lettuce range has been significantly impacted by adverse weather conditions across Spain.

“The current shortage is likely to improve within a couple of weeks.”

Lidl, also located along the London Road, was warning customers of stock issues. However, photos did show there was plenty available when the Echo visited.

Signs placed with the salad and tomato section stated: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Spain and Morocco these items may not be available. We will have more stock available in the coming days.”

Yesterday, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey told farmers “We can’t control the weather in Spain” when confronted with the news that supermarkets were limiting sales of fruit and vegetables.