Hong Kong fruit importers are set to have stocks of Sunkist lemons replenished from today after strikes at the Kwai Tsing port caused disruption to the region’s supply of fruit from overseas.
Hundreds of dockers departed their posts on 28 March over disputes regarding pay and working conditions at the port. Efforts to end the strike have thus far been unsuccessful.
Sunkist lemons have not been available for a week and Chilean grapes are still currently unavailable. For fresh produce that has been available in the region, prices have been fluctuating in the past week.
According to the vice-chairman of the Kowloon Fruit and Vegetable Merchants Association, Cheung Chi-cheung, the cost of Sunkist oranges has risen by as much as 30-40 per cent on some days.
On Wednesday, a local fruit seller reported that a large Sunkist orange cost HK$5 (US$0.64) at the Bowrington Road wet market in Causeway Bay, an increase of HK$1 (US$0.13) from the usual price. Three Philippine mangoes cost HK$20 (US$2.58), up from HK$16 (US$2.06).
Regional wholesalers stated that the situation has improved slightly since the beginning of the strike, with prices currently elevated at 20 per cent above normal.
Wholesalers also anticipate that the supply of fruits from southeast Asia, such as mangoes and durians, are set to resume gradually as buyers altered their shipping routes to avoid container terminals currently affected by the strikes.
A return to normal operations and pricing is unlikely to come in the immediate future, however, as some ships planned to arrive at strike-hit terminals have departed their origin country and itinerary adjustments are subsequently not feasible.
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