As UK marks decade since it voted to leave EU, Freshfel’s Philippe Binard reflects on bruising ten years for produce traders
“The path forward starts with an SPS agreement. And perhaps, with a little political wisdom, something more.”
Ten years ago this week, the UK voted to “take back control”. A decade later, the candles are there, but what about the cake? Less so , I would say.
Given the strong interaction and relevance which the fresh produce business has between the EU and the UK, in the last ten years the Brexit saga was always high on Freshfel Europe’s agenda, as well as that of my colleague Nigel Jenney at the Fresh Produce Consortium.
For fresh fruit and vegetables, Brexit could only be a stress test, with more than 3mn tonnes – over 10 per cent of intra-EU fresh produce trade – and some days close to 600 trucks crossing the Channel with EU-quality fresh produce.
This was a market built as a result of 40-plus years of free movement, aligned rules, and borders that simply didn’t get in the way.
That frictionless supply chain wasn’t a luxury and something to take as granted. Rather, it was a necessity for a large volume of perishable fresh produce, with just-in-time delivery of often mixed cargoes that required flexibility.
What followed demonstrated the complexity of trying to disconnect what had been so carefully connected.
The SPS debate alone said it all, and led to nightmares for many. How do you introduce border controls on a massive trade that operates in real time, where delays don’t just create more complex supply chains with more paperwork and higher bills for UK consumers?
The answer, after years of postponements, was: you don’t do it so easily. And anyway, fortunately it has not yet been realised.
For fresh produce, there is now a new deadline in January 2027, unless an ambitious and pragmatic SPS agreement works its magic.
In any case, so far the impact business is not something to celebrate. Under the UK economic situation due to Brexit, and with the logistical constraints, EU fresh produce exports to the UK have dropped by approximately 12 per cent over the decade.
Not a cliff edge, but a slow, steady erosion of a relationship that served both sides well.
The UK remains by far the number one destination for EU fresh produce exports. That matters, and it should continue to guide negotiators for what comes next.
Economic analysis shows that the promises of Brexit have not been delivered, neither for businesses nor for citizens on both sides.
On the contrary! In today’s geopolitical context, with the world fragmenting, rebuilding closer ties with our nearest neighbours is not nostalgia but rather strategic common sense.
The path forward starts with an SPS agreement. And perhaps, with a little political wisdom, something more.
Ten years on… not much to celebrate. But still time to act wisely.
At Freshfel Europe we will seek ongoing cooperation and mutual understanding with the Fresh Produce Consortium, to build businesses not obstacles.
Still some homework ahead!
