A strike by Israelifresh produce suppliers in response to recent changes to the Israeli government's policy on foreign workers is seemingly having little immediate impact on operations.

There are fears that strike action could lead to major shortages of Israeli fresh fruit and vegetables across the country's retail markets and supermarkets, while also potentially impeding the export of newly harvested vegetables heading for overseas markets.

However, Israeli financial newspaper Globes said this week that fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other farm products were stillwidely available at wholesalers nationwide.

The publication said it was 'business as usual' at Jerusalem's wholesale market, adding that the Zerifin wholesale market was 'partly operating', with trucks entering both on Tuesday morning with fresh produce - albeit in limited quantities.

Farmers strike leader Yaakov Neumann told Globes that this week's strikes were 'a warning', and that they could be extended into Thursday.

Elsewhere, some 200 farmers in the south of the country blocked the Arava junction and caused congestion on Monday (21 November), according to a report by the Jerusalem Post.

Farmers handed out peppers and flowers to drivers, the publication reported, sending out warning messages of potential price increases and carrying signs that suggested a reduction in the number of foreign workers would spell a 'death sentence' for the country's agricultural industry.

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