FOOD WASTE

FOOD prices are set to soar as the cost of produce being ruined by the migrant crisis exceeds £1billion a year – and could rise further – hauliers leaders warned last night.

Stowaways are contaminating whole loads by defecating and urinating in lorries, the contents of which then have to be scrapped at an average cost of £30,000 per vehicle.

Haulage bosses also fear there could be shortages of produce. Delays to deliveries mean ‘sell-by’ dates are being missed or severely curtailed as lorries wait in long motorway queues to get on to shuttle trains or ferries.

The crisis means hauliers are facing big hikes in insurance – or being refused it altogether – which is adding to costs. Retailers and manufacturing companies are switching deliveries to more expensive air freight to avoid late deliveries, which also adds to the costs.

Some firms are even having problems recruiting drivers prepared to ‘run the gauntlet’ to and from Calais.

Road Haulage Association policy director Jack Semple said: ‘We estimate the crisis is already costing around £1billion a year in terms of lost produce. Costs are rising rapidly. It is inevitable that these rising costs will feed through to the shops sooner or later in the form of higher prices.’