Fast-tracking fruit and vegetable transport could solve supply issues as EU borders close

18 Mar 2020 --- Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the European fresh fruit and vegetable sector is ramping up measures to ensure a continuous and diverse supply of fresh produce as demand spikes during the pandemic. However, the closure of border crossings in Europe is causing complications and has delayed some operations in the fresh produce supply chain. The sector is urging public authorities to allow for the “fast-tracking” of perishable produce to guarantee timely supply.

The fresh produce sector is pushing public authorities to allow a “fresh corridor” to fast-track trucks transporting highly perishable fresh fruit and vegetables during these unusual times of border closures within the bloc. 

This includes securing vehicles and drivers promptly in the right locations and introducing protocols to ensure trade flows.

Discussions are also being centered on securing resources for the upcoming picking season, such as having enough employees picking in orchards and working in packing stations as well as further down the supply chain.

With at-home consumption increasing as the outbreak develops, ensuring consumers can maintain a healthy, balanced diet with access to fresh fruit and vegetables remains a top priority for the sector, it stresses. 

Freshfel Europe says it will continue to closely monitor the implications of the COVID-19 outbreak for the supply chain across Member States. 

In an unprecedented move in the European Union, several countries, including France, Spain and Germany, have closed borders and the external borders of the EU and the Schengen area will be closed to travelers. Trade continues. 

Food safety 
The highest levels of food safety and hygiene are also being met by operators in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain amid the COVID-19 outbreak, stresses the organization. 

With the closure of restaurants and cafés in many EU countries, consumers are increasingly reliant on the availability of fresh fruit and vegetables in retail outlets for at-home consumption. 

Measures are being taken by all European fresh produce companies to provide the highest protection to workers in the supply chain. Non-essential staff are working from home, distances between essential operating staff have been increased, the highest hygiene precautions in pack-houses and wholesale markets are being taken and truck drivers are being isolated to decrease the risk of shortages of these crucial personnel in maintaining operations. In retail outlets, staff and consumer safety is of the highest priority. 

Precautions have increased to ensure the highest level of safety for essential staff re-stocking shelves to meet heightening demand for products and for consumers expecting safe, high-quality fresh products.

While the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has stated that there is no evidence that transmission through food consumption could occur, the sector reminds consumers to follow the precautionary recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on good hygiene practices during any food handling and preparation. 

All these efforts by the sector are facilitating consumers in continuing to have a healthy balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables throughout the outbreak, notes Freshfel. 

FoodIngredientsFirst has reached out to Freshfel for more comments. 

By Gaynor Selby