DE4CC0DE-5FC3-4494-BCBF-4D50B00366B5
Fresh Produce

UK Banana Shortage Averted As Colombian Strike Is Called Off

By square1
Share this article
UK Banana Shortage Averted As Colombian Strike Is Called Off

Retailer fears of a banana shortage in the UK have been quelled with news that a proposed Colombian workers's strike was called off in the early hours of this morning. The strike had been scheduled to begin today in 288 Colombian banana farms, according to trade organization Banana Link. Colombia accounts for some 25% of bananas imported to the UK.

Workers and trade union Sintrainagro members had until midnight 18 June, to set a strike date. Sintrainagro released a statement saying that it was able to "ward off the strike", with reports emerging that a 4% wage increase for workers in the first year of a two-year deal has been agreed, along with increases in other worker benefits such as healthcare and provision of a housing fund.

In early June, 18,000 workers in the Colombian banana-producung area of Urabá voted to strike in reaction to proposed cuts in pay. The dispute between Colombian producers and workers is understood to have largely arisen due to changes in the Peso-Dollar exchange rate, along with the low prices paid for Colombian bananas.

At least one UK retailer continues to sell bananas below cost price, according to Alastair Smith, international coordinator of Banana Link. Commenting on the low prices currently paid for bananas, Smith said, "Retailers who have led the last decade of futile price wars should now understand that the lower they push prices the less likely they are to be able to fulfil their commitments to ensure living wages are paid in their supply chains. We hope that the threat of shortage will finally focus the mind of those who make decisions on banana pricing." (20 June)

 

ADVERTISEMENT

© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Ellen Lunney 

 

Get the week's top grocery retail news

The most important stories from European grocery retail direct to your inbox every Thursday

Processing your request...

Thanks! please check your email to confirm your subscription.

By signing up you are agreeing to our terms & conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.