Federation of Small Businesses representative Stephen Alambritis said that there is a concern stemming from the fact that harvest for such items as cabbages, potatoes and sprouts have not been able to be brought on time by British farmers an may result in the quantity available in stores as well as higher prices.

Alambritis also said that although large chain supermarkets could hold prices at normal levels for the moment, smaller stores will have no other choice but to boost prices up for as long as the bad weather persists.

But, he added, if the bad weather is still present in February, even big chains will have to increase their prices.

In a bid to be able to offer vital services and bring milk to isolated areas, the Department for Transport has allowed for extended delivery times.

The bad road conditions had to prompt officials to relax European Union regulations in terms of delivery of foods and has resulted in British drivers spend an extra daily hour on the road  which extends their regular shifts to an average of ten hours.

The longer hours are appreciated by Agriculture officials.  A representative for Defra said that tankers couldn’t get through some areas. He said that this little extra time made a huge difference for those living in isolated areas.

It’s been reported that long shipping times for milk have resulted, in a few instances, in farmers being forced to throw tones of fresh milk away. This resulted in diminished supermarket supplies, higher prices and hard hit dairy farmers being hit even harder.

However, Defra claimed that there were no current food shortages experienced in the country.

Both Sainsbury’s and Tesco have seen record sales for this period of the year and have claimed that there shelves were full.