Mart Valstar, director and owner of Best Fresh. – Photo: Freek van den Bergh
Export company Best Fresh has exported 5 to 10% less fruit and vegetables to the UK in the last two years.
This is what the owner and director of Mart Valstar determined NRC. This decline was offset by growth in other countries. Every day, two to ten trucks leave for England. Trade with the UK has continued to decline since the 2016 Brexit referendum, Valstar said. In the first years after the decision, this was mainly due to the exchange rate of the British pound. Its value declined after the referendum and has not fully recovered.
Trade barriers
In recent years, trade barriers have also increased. Documents that were not required during free movement are now required. Although Brexit is still not fully implemented in European fruit and vegetables.
The UK has become a third country as a result of Brexit, meaning that checks must be made against European trading standards and marking regulations. From 1 July 2022, a phytosanitary certificate (FC) will only be required for exports of European products to the UK.
3% surcharge
Additional checks and inspections make exports expensive, Valstar said. He estimates a 3% increase in costs. This is also charged to the customer. This does not include phytosanitary requirements which will be checked from 1 July. The amount of additional costs depends on the model used to meet the requirements.
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