Weather to have 'inevitable impact' on food prices

Monday, January 11th 2010

Food prices could be set to increase in the UK as freezing temperatures continue.

Farmers are having difficulty harvesting vegetables with the weather making it hard for produce to be extracted from the ground.

The icy conditions are also making food distribution problematic. The government has advised local authorities to cut grit usage by a quarter as the Met Office continues to warn motorists to be cautious.

Stephen Alambritis of the Federation of Small Businesses said that problems with replenishing food stocks and the rush to buy food in the icy conditions would "inevitably have an impact on food prices".

He added: "Food is selling fast and there is a problem with replenishing it."

Snowfall has caused disruption across the UK, with many schools closing their doors and a host of sporting events falling victim to the weather.

Weather conditions have eased up in certain areas of the UK, with levels of snowfall less heavy than expected.