Kenya's producers are dumping tonnes of vegetables and flowers earmarked for the UK market, as cargo shipments from Africa are grounded due to the volcanic ash cloud currently hovering over Europe, the Guardian has reported.
More than 5,000 farm workers have already been laid off in the country, with more expected if flights do not resume by tomorrow.
'We usually ship 10-15 tonnes of produce every day to different parts of the world and that's come to a complete halt,' said Ariff Shamji, MD of AAA Growers, based in Nairobi. 'By Tuesday we're going to have to make tough decisions. We can't keep having people come to work and not have any work to do.'
Up until yesterday, AAA Growers had donated or dumped 50-60 tonnes of vegetables including broccoli, sugar snap peas, and runner beans, according to the Guardian.
Mr Shamji told the newspaper that he had delayed harvesting some produce and was considering trying to ship to Belgium or Spain for re-export by truck.
In addition, Kenya's flower council has revealed that the country is losing US$1.3m a day in lost shipments to Europe.
UK importer Flamingo released a statement saying that the company has been maximising road transport over the past five days.
'From Kenya, where we work in partnership with several cargo carriers, we have been able to charter a 747 to carry freight into southern Spain,' the statement said. 'The first flight using this route arrived this morning and product is now starting the 20-plus-hour road trip back to the UK. We are in discussions with our freight partners to maintain this route until the restrictions in northern Europe change.'
CEO Martin Hudson commented: “As an importer it is vital for our business and that of our customers and supply partners that we maintain the flow of these highly perishable products into the UK. `...` Whilst the 90 tonnes we moved is a small quantity compared to our normal shipments, getting the first shipment in is symbolic and we now continue to work hard to keep this air bridge open.'
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