The coronavirus crisis is placing stress on Europe’s supply chains, with stockpiling leading to empty shelves, new border checks causing traffic jams for truckers, and fears of labour shortages (see Politico, 24 March). But according to Wouter Kolk, CEO for Europe of Ahold Delhaize, panic-buying is likely to subside within a week or two once people start trusting in the food supply again. Fresh products like dairy, fruit and vegetables are the most sensitive to any disruption in the European… +

According to Netherlands-based Amar Import & Export, which specialises in African, Asian, Indian and Caribbean products, exotic vegetable prices are rising (see Fresh Plaza, 24 March). “The cargo flights from Suriname and the Dominican Republic have now been cancelled. That means exotic vegetables have also risen. Ginger prices had already increased dramatically,” said Amar’s Sandeep Singh.… +

The Commission has issued new practical advice on how to implement its Guidelines for border management, in order to keep freight moving across the EU during the current pandemic (see press release, 23 March). To ensure that EU-wide supply chains continue to operate, Member States have been requested to designate all the relevant internal border-crossing points on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) as “green lane” border crossings (see map). The green lane border crossings should be open to all freight… +

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) welcomed the Commission’s guidelines on green lanes and the announcement that all freight qualifies to access those green lanes, but stated that “We know by experience that maximum 15 mins per truck will continue to result in huge delays and the situation will remain unchanged. There shouldn’t be any systematic checks at borders” (see Fresh Plaza, 24 March). IRU General Delegate Raluca Marian said that “harmonising EU transit rights for non-EU vehicles serving European… +

UK supermarkets are confident that they can cope with the effects of COVID-19 on the supply chain and that shopping patterns will eventually return to normal. But the coronavirus pandemic has awakened wider fears about the strength of the complicated supply chains that modern societies depend on (see BBC News: Business, 26 March). Half of the food consumed in the UK comes from overseas, with 30% coming from the European Union. The government is treating logistics workers as key workers,… +

Given the international nature and the very high degree of integration of the global flower supply chain, the high perishability of the products, and the very complex just-in-time logistics, the global flower industry has been hit hard by the escalating COVID-19 crisis since mid-March (see Statement from Union Fleurs, 24 March). An unprecedented and massive “domino effect” is now in effect at all levels, affecting all European countries and the main flower supplying countries in East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia) and… +

In a statement on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Secretary General of the ACP Group of States, H.E. Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, announced a collaboration with the European Union to mobilise an additional €25 million for the ongoing ACP Programme to Strengthen Health Systems for Universal Health Coverage in ACP States. The programme is funded by the 11th European Development Fund, with the World Health Organization as the main implementing agency. The ACP Group of States is particularly concerned by the… +

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials in Africa are now resigned to delaying the launch of what is set to become the world’s largest free-trade bloc, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) (see Politico, 24 March). Trade talks aimed at launching the bloc on 1 July are now on hold. However, the intention is still for the AfCFTA to launch this year, with the hope that talks could resume by the end of May. The pandemic is predicted to… +

The COMESA Business Council has published a Business Insider Special Edition, “Business Insights of the COVID-19 Virus”. At the international level, a snapshot of trade disruptions between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and its key trading partners due to COVID-19 describes a significant drop in international trade (imports and exports) due to logistical and control measures put in place by export destinations. Kenya’s cut flower exports are singled out as a key example, with the Kenya… +

SOUTH AFRICA Exports of fruit (apples and pears) by sea to Europe have not so far been affected by COVID-19: the United Kingdom has increased imports of these products from South Africa to 177%. However, schools have been closed, companies have reorganised by developing teleworking, port warehouses are applying new rules, and South African ports have implemented measures to digitise shipping documents. Containment of the population was decreed on 26 March. BURKINA FASO There are no more regular flights between… +