South Africa: Strikes affect retail fruit supply
Pick n Pay food and merchandise director Peter Arnold said the retail giant had been hit hard by a shortage of apples, pears, stone fruit and table grapes from the conflict-affected farms in the Western Cape.
"The problems being experienced in Western Cape have led to us having less of this type of fruit in our stores. Pick n Pay only sources produce from farmers who are ethical employers," he said.
Arnold said Pick n Pay had hoped the strike would be resolved soon.
His sentiments were echoed by Woolworths, which said: "There were labour disputes at four of our supplier farms in the Western Cape."
"We engaged other suppliers to help maintain a steady supply of nectarines, peaches and apples," the company said.
The Shoprite group said it had not experienced any noticeable impact on sales and deliveries thanks to its supplier network that stretches beyond Western Cape.
Source: Bizcommunity.com