Wholesalers and suppliers are reporting a 'severe' shortage of courgettes in Europe.
Due to weather issues in key supply region Spain, the price of the vegetable has doubled on UK wholesale markets - when the vegetable is available.
The shortage has been going on for almost two weeks, but has become increasingly more problematic over the last week.
John van Lieshout, product manager for courgettes at Valstar Holland, said: 'Courgettes are in a bit of drama at the moment, with Spain not producing what it needs to be producing. The last two weeks, there has been very little volume, although last week you could get some despite it being difficult, but it's gotten worse.
'Spain has had some really cold nights, and courgettes don't like the cold, and more cold nights are expected. Prices are already high, and they are going up.'
Colin Putt, sales manager at Total Produce's Cornwall division in the UK, added: 'All over the UK, there's a shortage on courgettes. We're having difficulties getting any from our team in Spain, as well as Dutch suppliers of Spanish produce, and that that is available is selling for mega money - it was £7 (a pallet) last week, and now it's £15.50.'
Putt noted that other Spanish products, such as aubergines, are also in short supply.
Spain is the main supply region for Europe on courgettes at this time of year, with the Netherlands' season starting at the end of next month, and the UK's starting in June.
Italy, which also supplies product to the European market at this time of year, has been experiencing weather-related issues on its courgette crop too.
