Fruit and vegetables exports to the United Kingdom are facing hurdles as a result of Brexit. William Verhage, responsible for exports to England and Ireland as account manager at Valstar, expects that a solution will eventually be found, but thinks that the trade flows will partly shift.
"On the English side there is still a certain ignorance on a number of points. People are really still looking for a solution and that is reflected in the contracts that are now being made. The cost aspect is really a thing. A number of contracts have already been concluded, but there are also customers who are struggling with the Brexit costs that come on top of this and are trying to factor these into the purchase price. Other customers are simply not responding yet because they have not yet received all prices from Europe and their own country. And then there is even a group that is not even busy with the quotation."
"For the Dutch product, the export flows are still reasonably clear, but for the products that we import from third countries, a certain levy is added, on top of the costs for KCB and export documentation. That can easily go up to 8%. A good example is Morocco, from which we traditionally re-export quite a bit of trade. This will certainly have an effect on our trade flows. Normally we get this trade in Rotterdam, now they will import more directly. But we and other Dutch exporters will also always play into it. "
"For these reasons it is currently much quieter in the export, but that will find a way again in the coming months. Everyone is looking for the right roads. We do have to overcome a hurdle on 1 April, if the regulations really will be strictly applied, including extra KCB inspections. These checks will temporarily cause some delay. Ultimately, I am not worried about our export position. You will get completely different patterns, but that also makes it dynamic. It is always has been our strength to respond to that,” William concludes.
For more information:
William Verhage
Valstar
Tel: +31 (0) 1740530843
w.verhage@saladsdirect.nl
www.valstar.nl