European ports finally making a comeback after COVID declines
After almost three years, freight levels at ports across the EU are slowly returning to their pre-pandemic state. Port Strategy reports that total weight of goods handled has recovered by 4% to 3.5 billion tonnes in 2021. During 2020, EU ports saw a decline of 7% in cargo compared to the previous year. While volumes still haven’t […]
‘Uncertain times’ ahead for UK and fresh produce industry
As we begin to look back on 2022, we are currently facing a combination of global, regional and local challenges which impact, directly and indirectly UK and international farming and food: the strength of the US$; conflict in Ukraine; climate change; energy issues; the ongoing impact of Brexit, COVID and then our own UK economic/food […]
Aldi expands pay again for store assistants, looks to hire nearly 1,000 logistics workers
Discount retail chain Aldi is again raising its pay rates for valued store assistants, giving more than 25,000 a bump in hourly wages of 40p to offset rising inflation costs. Starting next month, those colleagues within the M25 will receive £11.95 per hour, while those outside of it will see increases to £10.50 an hour […]
In U.S., transportation and produce supply chain also remain uncertain
Paul Revere was worried only about Land and Sea. Today, our transportation troubles include Air as well. Current transportation and supply chain woes are testing the resiliency so frequently attributed to the produce industry. For many of us, the increased cost of sea and air transportation is easily measured in the number of air pallets […]
Despite soaring profits, Maersk sees economic risks coming this year
Danish shipping group AP Møller-Maersk anticipates “a slowdown in the second half, a normalization”, according to its chief executive Søren Skou and in a report in The Financial Times. This comes despite the highest profits of $19.3 billion (+55%) made in its 114-year history, in the first quarter. “The visibility is quite low. Mainly we see risks […]
Produce trade associations form alliance to address rising costs
Fresh produce associations including Freshfel Europe (European Union) and the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters – SHAFFE (Latin America, Oceania, South Africa) have agreed to form a global coalition to address increased costs for fresh produce production and trade. The global coalition also includes Afruibana (West-Africa), China Chamber of Commerce of I/E of […]
Disruption from truck driver shortage to deepen, warns logistics boss
Disruption from the UK’s truck driver shortage is expected to deepen with more goods failing to reach shelves on the high street, the head of Britain’s largest logistics outsourcer has warned. James Wroath, chief executive of Wincanton, said the extra strains were likely to hit the haulage industry as demand picks up ahead of the […]
