By Chris King • Updated: 26 Feb 2023 • 21:28
Image of fresh tomatoes. Credit: BearFotos Shutterstock.com
According to a report from The Guardian today, Sunday, February 26, Italian restaurants across the UK are faced with having to cut tomatoes from their menus. This is particularly the case with pizza and pasta dishes, due to rising prices, the news outlet explained.
Some establishments are trying to limit their use of tomatoes said the paper, while others have taken the drastic measure of removing Pasta al Pomodoro from their menus completely.
As noted by Enzo Oliveri, the Sicilian chairman of the chefs’ association, the Federazione Italian Cuochi UK (FIC UK), many British restaurants could end up being forced out of business. “I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel”, he said.
He pointed out that in the space of just 12 months, the price of canned tomatoes has doubled, increasing from £15 a case to £30. Similarly, he added, a box of iceberg lettuce that used to cost £7 is now £22.
Tomatoes are normally sourced by his association’s members from Italy, Spain or Morocco, Oliveri continued. “But, because there’s everywhere a shortage, there are no tomatoes coming from any place”.
As a result of the crisis, Oliveri explained that some restaurants have looked at offering their clients tomato-less pizzas and pasta dishes. Cheeses such as ricotta, or vegetables including courgettes or aubergines are being used by chefs as a base and to thicken sauces.
“White pizza, white sauces for pasta or less tomato. We’re making it a trend because prices are going up and because of shortages”, he said. “When the prices go up we’re in trouble. We cannot calculate the margins any more”, concluded Oliveri, urging the British government to impose a ceiling on the price of tomatoes.
Tomato prices have gone up three times in the past two weeks alone pointed out Carmelo Carnevale, president of the Italian Culinary Consortium. Establishments are stall able to purchase tomatoes but not in the quantities they were previously obtaining he explained.
“It’s very stressful for us, especially since we also have ours imported from Italy twice a week. We’re lucky to get it. Tomatoes are in a lot of our dishes. We as a company promote ‘made in Italy’ and we have to keep our identity without compromising the quality. We can’t increase our prices either, so we’re not making any profit’, he lamented.
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Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com
What shortage everywhere? Our shops are full of fruit and veg
where are you at???
Malaga province
This is true, also i went to a restaurant yesterday they also didn’t have tamatos inside my pasta..
Hey!!! @Joe Ricotta Which Restaurant did you go to….?
Sorry @Steven Thomson But Forget the name of that restaurant it was a small italian restaurant
Hello.. @Joe Ricotta Which Pasta Did you order??
Helllo @James Dwell I Ordered Penne Arrabbiata Pasta There.
Penne Arrabbiata Pasta Is A Spicy Suace For Pasta Made from Garlic, Tomatoes, and dried red chilli peppers cooked in olive oil. the sauce originates from the Lazio region, and particularly from the city of rome.
@Joe Ricotta How do you know it doesn’t contain tomatoes..??
@Steve Smith Tomatoes have a Tangy Taste, which i was not getting in this pasta..
If Shortage in Tomatoes, How do these people make red sauce pasta…?????
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