More than 10,000 tonnes of fresh produce slated to be sent to European customers is being delayed in the port of Ashdod in Israel, due to a port workers' strike.
Yesterday’s all-out strike has delayed shipment of avocado, citrus, capsicum, fresh herbs and other products, and trade sources in Tel Aviv told freshinfo that the potential losses for growers and exporters are significant.
Farmers' organisations in Israel have already called on their government to intervene, saying that they should not be "the ones to pay the price and the losses incurred as a result of the workers' plight".
Exporters have added that if the produce is not loaded and shipped to Europe within 24 hours, some senders are mulling using the airfreight option to distribute more fragile items, in order to maintain continuous supply.
• Added at 9.15am, Wednesday morning. The strike has now ended and work has resumed at the port.
