“The bosses of the UK’s biggest supermarkets are to meet the chancellor on Wednesday as the government seeks to gauge the extent of potential price rises and shortages of household essentials amid a surge in energy, fuel and fertiliser costs.”

“Allan Leighton, Asda’s executive chair, is not expected to attend but has called on the government to 'stand up and start doing stuff' to support farmers and ease the price of fuel, warning that food prices would inevitably rise as a result of the conflict.”

“Simon Roberts, the boss of Sainsbury’s, has said prices are unlikely to rise until the summer as long-term contracts on energy and stores of fertiliser will keep a lid on costs for now.”

“UK farmers and producers are warning that, without help from the government and support from retailers, there will be price rises and potential shortages.”

“Domestic growers of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines said some could be forced to pull their plants out of the ground because of higher costs, which could result in gaps on shelves.”

“Lee Stiles, secretary of the Lea Valley Growers’ Association, is calling on the government to include food producers with glasshouses on a list of 'energy-intensive users' – along with steel, chemicals, cement and glass producers – to help them with surging energy costs.”

“Stiles also wants retailers to renegotiate contracts with growers to reflect the surge in costs they have faced since the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East. In addition, the impending increase in standing charges on 1 April – the fixed daily cost added to bills for accessing the UK’s gas and electricity network – will push energy bills even higher.”

“Growers have already bought plants and use labour to bring them up for three to four months so far. When you do the maths, they don’t add up. They would lose less money by sending workers home, pulling the plants out and turning off the boiler. They would still lose money but less. It’s not much of a choice.”