Brexit has Dutch growers really worried. The current border-free frictionless trade zone means British supermarkets can order crates of onions from the Netherlands in the morning and sell them within 24 hours. Approximately €1.2 billion worth of Dutch fruit and vegetables are exported to the UK annually – that's 50,000 trucks crossing the channel every year.
An Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study found that Dutch exports to the UK could drop by 17% in the event of a no-deal Brexit. While the UK's customs authority HMRC says it has "well-developed plans" for a functioning system from day one, fruit and vegetables are the Dutch exports most vulnerable to disruption.
Exporters operate on a "just-in-time" principle to ensure customers receive the freshest possible produce. Additional checks for plant health, food safety and marketing standards could create tailbacks at customs. Some officials predict a 30% increase in import inspections and a 100% increase in export inspections.
According to bbc.com¸ deliveries currently made within a day could take two to three days.
