Crops could rot in the fields as seasonal workers are locked out

EUROPE could soon face shortages of fresh fruit and vegetables, suppliers have warned.

Governments across the continent have assured their populations that the food supply remains secure as they seek to ward off panic buying.

But they are scrambling to address a looming threat to fresh produce. Farmers across Europe are struggling to find workers to harvest early crops as border closures and travel bans cut off their usual seasonal labourers.

Supply chains from other continents have been hit by border restrictions and shipping problems amid shortages of truck drivers and containers. Europe may have to depend more on homegrown produce, but with EU member states reimposing borders within the Schengen Area, that too is affected.

The European Commission is urging member states to clear the bottlenecks by opening special “green lanes” at borders to allow fresh produce through in 15 minutes, but there are concerns not all will comply.

European suppliers warned yesterday that not enough is being done to ensure seasonal workers are available as the harvest for early produce such as strawberries and asparagus looms.

“This is a critical matter,” Freshfel Europe, the European fresh produce association, warned. “Freshfel Europe urges EU capitals to continue to welcome seasonal workers from other EU and neighbouring countries. This critical staff is necessary to ensure food security during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

In Germany, there are fears the prized white asparagus crop could be left to rot in the fields with seasonal workers unable to enter the country.

Farmers rely on some 300,000 experienced labourers from Eastern Europe who have been locked out.

Andreas Jende, of the Berlinbrandenburg Horticulture Association, said: “The pressure to act is enormous. The asparagus growers are working under extreme tension.”

The German army has rebuffed calls to send troops to help with the harvest, leaving farmers to turn to local jobseekers for help.

In France, which is facing similar shortages of seasonal workers for the strawberry season in the Loire Valley, the agriculture minister has appealed to a “shadow army” of those laid off because of the crisis to help.

French authorities have pledged jobseekers will still receive benefits and those on furlough will still be paid even if they earn extra by working on farms.

Spain, Europe’s biggest exporter of fruit and vegetables, is already struggling after fewer than half of the 16,000 Moroccan seasonal workers due to help with the harvest of strawberries and other red fruits made it across the Strait of Gibraltar before the Moroccan government imposed a travel ban.