Thai fruit and vegetable exports are facing disruption after anti-government protestors shut down the international airport.
Demonstrators stormed the building in Bangkok on Tuesday and commandeered Suvarnabhumi Airport, forcing the suspension of hundreds of flights. The cancellations hit produce exports to Europe, the bulk of which are shipped in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft.
“All European shipments have been stopped, and although some cargo got in before the closure last night, protesters have blocked off all routes to the airport, so a lot did not make it,” Chris Catto-Smith of Coolcargo told Fruitnet.com.
The impact is expected to be short-lived, and shippers are hopeful the airport will reopen on Thursday, but the 24-hour interruption to cargo movement could result in losses for shippers without the appropriate cold chain controls as well as breaching exporters’ supermarket programmes, Mr Catto-Smith noted.
Meanwhile, demonstrators forced the closure of the second airport in Bangkok, Don Mueang, after opposition supporters blocked the terminal.
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