Last weekend, Franklin Ginus, Co-CEO of Fairtrasa International and former director at Chiquita, stirred the waters with his call to address congestion at northern European ports. "Average waiting times of four to five days may seem minor, but in our trade, it can mean the difference between delivering top-quality fruit or having to reject an entire shipment."
The delays have a direct impact on the fresh fruit Fairtrasa imports from Latin America and Africa. "In the organic sector, produce often has a shorter shelf life. Last year, the ongoing delays caused us serious losses. Containers with fruit that were kept for only two weeks were sometimes stuck for eight to ten days. We can't pass that risk on to our producers, so as importers, we bear the brunt of the damage."
The reliability of the sector is also under pressure. "We're losing our credibility. Some parties have already chosen to stop routing their cargo through Rotterdam. And the delays keep mounting. People often point to port capacity issues, but if our responsiveness erodes as a result, it creates an uneven playing field. Many projects are underway, but so far, we haven't seen much improvement. Stockpiling isn't an option for us, we're completely dependent on scheduled arrival times," says Franklin.
Ginus also sees room for improvement in the customs process. "It seems like every container is being checked for drugs these days. That's understandable, but why not carry out these checks in the country of origin? After all, the problems begin during the journey from the plantation to the port. If inspections were done there, we'd have far fewer delays here."
Availability issues also strain customer relationships. "In our industry, delivery reliability is essential. The consequences aren't just financial; they affect the entire chain, from growers to buyers. It leads to more food waste and fewer sales opportunities."
According to Ginus, port congestion is a complex systemic issue. "It's not the fault of a single party but a shared challenge for the sector. With my appeal, I hope to spark an open dialogue on how we can protect the integrity of the fresh produce trade in these unpredictable times. I hope we can exchange ideas and find solutions together. In our sector, even a few days can make all the difference."
For more information:
Franklin Ginus
Fairtrasa International
Tel: +31 174 291600
Hovenierstraat 120
2671 DB Naaldwijk
[email protected]
www.fairtrasa.com
