French president Nicolas Sarkozy ordered all fuel depots to be unblocked by police if necessary as protests against pension reform gripped the country and caused some disruption to produce consignments bound for the UK, on Wednesday.
Roy Shattell of importer Lizcrest said: “We are bringing in salads, lemons and pomegranates from the south of Spain. Drivers are getting through because they are refuelling in northern Spain but there are some problems with part loads and lorries getting out of Perpignan.”
Leafy salad lines from the south of France appear to be the worst affected and if the situation continues, prices will start to rise. “We have had to turn down some business as there is no point placing orders as the product might get delayed and go off before it gets here,” said Kevin Henry of importer Davis Worldwide, adding that customers had been tolerant.
