Recent events have made it clear that, amid further Covid19 restrictions and unprecedented weather extremes, the fresh produce industry will enter one of its most challenging and unstable period yet. "Neither we nor anyone else can afford sitting idle in anticipations for conditions to improve, this privilege is no longer valid and actions must be taken," claimed Omer Kamp of European Retail Packing.
It goes without saying that fresh herbs are first in line to pay the price for climatic changes. These particular plants have a subtle thin stems and delicate leaves that react poorly and rather fast to any changes in temperatures and / or weather conditions. The further climate change goes, the more lines will be affected. With vegetables such as tomatoes and aubergines being followed next.
Ideal growing of herbs requires certain conditions to take place which includes proper oxygen levels, fair humidity levels, moderate Irrigation, reasonable Soil Temperature, adequate Radiation etc.. If these surroundings cannot be provided, the plant, if at all possible, will either adjust itself or provide lower yields. One way or another, effects will become noticeable both in the short-run as well as in the long-run.
“You can call it Global Warming or just Crazy Weather but reality remain as is, the world is facing more frequent natural disasters and weather extremes than ever recorded in written history.” Claimed by Raymond Van Der Burgh. This year climatic conditions are not just unusual but also spread throughout the globe and seem to have affect everyone and everywhere. In the Southern States, temperatures are extremely high with frequent Heat Waves of 40 and even 45 + Degrees. Further North, States suffer from Rains, Floods, High Humidity Levels, Hail Storms etc… In Africa on the other hand, rains and clouds seem to have taken over, it rains daily with sun light becoming a rare sight. These are not ideal conditions for agriculture and plants are far from being accustomed to cope with these changes. Stated by Omer Kamp.
Basically and without giving it names, these historic weather changes entail: Warmer Temperatures that melt icebergs which bring for a higher sea level that later changes the ocean’s salinity which manipulates ocean’s currents and brings about faster evaporations. These evaporations are responsible for more clouds, less sun light, higher humidity levels and more frequent extremes.
There is no need to be a scientist to realize that something is going on, floods in Germany, Holland and Belgium, Hail Storms the size of Tennis Balls in Northern Italy, unprecedented wildfires in Turley, Greece and Algeria, extreme humidity levels in Africa and life-threatening heat waves in the ME, so yes, the effects are already felt and if August will indeed be as hot as some suggest it will then, we will see further supply interruptions. Suggested by Omer Kamp of ERP.
The Dutch based company, Europe Retail Packing BV, has been preparing for this scenario by extending its consolidation system to include a wider range of supplies deriving from further more scattered farms. “It is not wise to assume the coming period will be like its former. We must take into consideration that these extremes will become more frequent and a lot more noticeable. Therefore we have decided to concentrate our energies in securing our clients a steady, stable and contingency based line of supply for Herbs, Vegetables and Fruits.” Vowed by Raymond Van Der Burgh of ERP.
Another issue worth taking into account is the mere fact that Covid19 is still alive and kicking. There are no assurances that the traveling and hospitality sectors will be spared from further restrictions and therefore, these uncertainties play a major role in the decision making process for growers. “Instabilities have always proven to prompt inactions or in other words, increase in supplies is unlikely to take place in the midst of current market environment” claimed by Omer Kamp.
When asked about prospects for the coming season, ERP has concluded by suggesting it will be a challenging one with obstacles of a different nature yet still, it will provide new opportunities and promote a more dedicated level of service to clients. “This season will be as harsh or as smooth based on our actions. We pledge to go above and beyond to ensure it will be managed properly with as few incidents as possible.”
For more information:
Europe Retail Packing
315 ABC Westland
2685 DD Poeldijk, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 174 282 510
Email: Arend@europeretailpacking.nl
Email: John@europeretailpacking.nl
www.europeretailpacking.nl