The truckers' strike seriously affects the fruit and vegetable sector

In Spain since March 14, truckers have been on strike to protest against the increase in fuel prices deemed unsustainable. After several days when roadblocks and 'snail' operations led to the blocking of the country, the government decided on a plan to aid the transport sector by 500 million euros.

 

Spanish truckers have gone on an indefinite strike to protest against the unsustainable increase in fuel prices. The strike brought together according to observers around 75,000 drivers who succeeded in blocking the country. For almost 10 days, strike pickets, roadblocks and 'snail' convoys, mostly in the country's major cities and ports, have affected the supply of national and international markets, particularly in fruits and vegetables.

 

Faced with this paralysis of transport and because of the perishable nature of fruit and vegetables, FEPEX had asked for the creation of safe corridors allowing the departure of trucks from production areas to national and foreign markets. These corridors were set up and then reinforced and made it possible to ship fruits and vegetables.

 

FEPEX points out that the export of fruit and vegetables in March is between 1.2 and 1.3 million tonnes, of which 94% by road. Besides strawberries and berries, which are one of the most exported fruits this month, a wide range of vegetables are shipped abroad, such as tomatoes with 92,940 tons, peppers with 108,093 tons, lettuce with 102,067 tonnes and cabbage with 81,207 tonnes.

 

With the announcement of a government plan to aid the transport sector of 500 million euros, some truckers have returned to work. But others continue this strike asking the Spanish government to increase aid.

 

 

source : abc.es, fepex es