# European vegetable shortages and structural supply shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-vegetable-shortages-and-price-increases > Updated: 2026-09-09T05:41:29.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 5. Extreme summer heat, droughts, and unpredictable weather patterns have caused significant vegetable shortages and price increases across Europe. While initially noted in Germany and Switzerland, the crisis has expanded into a structural issue affecting the ‘fourth and fifth gamma’ sector (ready-to-eat salads and vegetables). Simone Zerbinati of Unione Italiana Food stated the situation can no longer be viewed as a mere seasonal fluctuation but is a ‘structural crisis,’ noting that raw material availability for certain products has dropped by 30% to 40%. In Spain, high temperatures and pest issues, specifically Thrips parvispinus, continue to impact production. In Almería, José Antonio Baños of the Ejidomar cooperative reported that yellow pepper auction prices have exceeded €3 per kilo due to scarcity. This has driven a shift in Spanish acreage from peppers toward cucumbers, zucchini, or eggplants. Supply volumes from the Almería region are not expected to stabilize until November. Shortages in tomatoes, leafy greens, and peppers have also driven up demand in Northern and Central Europe, specifically in the Netherlands and Belgium. To mitigate disruptions caused by weather and geopolitical tensions in Algeciras, the greenhouse sector is prioritizing supply chain security over price optimization. Buyers are increasingly moving away from single-origin sourcing, splitting procurement programs across multiple origins, with Egypt emerging as a significant third winter origin for certain products. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Climate change disrupts European ready-to-eat produce supply Climate change is causing structural shortages in the ready-to-eat produce sector, with raw material availability dropping by up to 40% across Italy and Europe due to drought and extreme heat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/climate-change-disrupts-european-ready-to-eat-produce-supply ### 2026-09-02: Greenhouse vegetable sector shifts focus to supply security Vegetable importers are prioritizing supply chain diversification over price to combat shortages in tomatoes and peppers caused by extreme weather and production shifts in Spain. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greenhouse-vegetable-sector-shifts-focus-to-supply-security ### 2026-09-02: Spanish vegetable supply faces shortage amid rising European demand High temperatures and pests have caused a vegetable shortage in Europe, driving up demand for Spanish produce while simultaneously limiting Spanish supply and increasing prices. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-vegetable-supply-faces-shortage-amid-rising-european-demand ### 2026-08-23: Southern Europe faces vegetable shortages and rising prices Extreme heat in Southern Europe has caused severe vegetable shortages and soaring prices for items like leafy greens, tomatoes, and celery due to low yields and high production costs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-europe-faces-vegetable-shortages-and-rising-prices ### 2026-07-30: Heat-driven lettuce and cucumber shortages tighten European market Summer heat curtails lettuce heart harvests in Germany and cucumber yields in Switzerland, tightening supply, raising prices and reducing promotions across European markets. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heat-driven-lettuce-and-cucumber-shortages-tighten-european-market --- Cite as: European vegetable shortages and structural supply shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-vegetable-shortages-and-price-increases