Industry body for UK retailers says claims there will be no fresh food shortages are 'categorically untrue'.

The UK food industry said the main impact of such a departure from the bloc will be on fresh produce, such as fruit and vegetables, which cannot be stockpiled by retailers or consumers and are largely imported from the EU during the winter months.

British Retail Consortium says sales are down 2.7%, blaming uncertainty over Brexit. / Britain’s retailers are warning of a fresh wave of job losses and store closures after its health check of consumer spending showed the biggest drop in almost a quarter of a century last month.

While politicians fail to understand the basics of the Single Market and customs unions, retailers are spending millions mitigating the risk of a ’no-deal’ Brexit – this cannot continue.

Major trade bodies say they have been stopped from telling member companies about plans for customs and trade. / "We are collectively of the opinion that members are not ready for a no-deal exit on March 29."

Consumers could face meat, fish, fruit and vegetable shortages and higher prices.