Supermarkets have issued the first price rise to bananas in five years as post-Brexit vote currency fluctuations reek havoc with the cost of fresh produce.

Shoppers have been warned that they could face more empty shelves due to a collapse in the supply chain as retailers face increasing pressure to keep up with demands whilst tackling staffing problems.

Customs experts and leading supermarkets warn produce such as meat, fruit and vegetables could be in short supply in Northern Ireland.

Big names KFC, Pret, Lidl, Co-Op, M&S, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda and McDonald's have signed a damning letter warning food supplies could run short - read it in full.

Lidl has blamed empty shelves at some of its stores on "disruptions to supply chain networks".

Lidl sent suppliers a letter demanding confirmation that they will pay any new tariffs on cross-border trade.

Prices will soar and border delays will halt fresh food imports following the "shock" of a no-deal Brexit, Britain’s major supermarkets have warned.

Items to disappear from supermarket shelves and prices to increase if UK crashes out of EU, group including Lidl, the Co-op, Pret a Manger and KFC say.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl are just some of the stores that have responded to the complaints from customers.