Aldi has joined other supermarkets in introducing limits on the sales of certain fruits and vegetables due to a shortage of fresh produce.

The discount store said it was placing limits of three per customer on bell peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes.

It follows similar moves from Asda and Morrisons, with experts warning that shortages could last for several weeks.

However, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have not announced limits.

Images of empty shelves from various supermarkets have been circulating on social media in recent days.

The shortage is largely due to extreme weather in Spain and North Africa, where flooding, snow and hail have affected crops.

A significant proportion of the fruit and vegetables consumed by the UK at this time of year comes from those regions.

The BRC has said the shortage is expected to only last “a few weeks”, until the UK growing season goes underground and shops find alternative sources of produce.

An Aldi spokesman said the limits on fresh produce were being introduced to “ensure that as many customers as possible can buy what they need.”

The limits at Asda are higher, with lettuce, salad sachets, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberry tubs capped at three per customer, along with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.

Morrisons has put limits of two on sales of cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.