Post-Brexit export growth has created new ways of cutting costs
Since Brexit, there has been a significant growth in the number of fruit, vegetable and plant producers exporting goods into Europe (and beyond). That’s the opinion of Waller Transport Services, an Ipswich-based logistics firm with over fifty years of experience in transportation and haulage solutions.
The company have seen a huge uplift in the number of export enquiries since the UK left the European Union. As a result, the firm have had to adapt their ways of working to ensure that they are overcoming the new complexities of new trade restrictions, overcoming logistics barriers and improving profit margins for all horticultural manufacturers.
Paul Rolfe, Sales Director, Waller Transport Services, says: “Exporters already have to deal with rising fuel costs and complex customs paperwork requirements, but added to that complexity is the realisation that most plant or horticulture exporters need to adhere to fast timescales to prevent plants, fruit or vegetables from deteriorating. We’ve spent the last few years refining our export logistics to adjust to a post-Brexit world, and through a few simple tweaks, we’ve been able to save our clients significant time and money.”
One of the biggest challenges for manufacturers is the complexity of the SIVEP (the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Office) certification checks. These checks are mandatory for any item that derives from animal or plant products. If a shipment does not pass the requirements of the paperwork, drivers can be forced to remain in customs until the paperwork has been resolved. Unexpected complications can significantly derail any logistics timescales, but thanks to Waller’s extensive pre-departure checks, their clients are rarely held longer than two hours.
The firm not only complete all paperwork before any hauliers depart (including checking any phytosanitary certificates), but they have also explored other routes into Europe beyond the traditional Calais route.
One potential option which has proven popular for many exporters is to ship unaccompanied goods via Belgium. As a time-effective alternative, choosing a different route has been proven to be highly beneficial for fruit producers who may be exporting shipments consisting of multiple products. Traditionally, those manufacturers would have had to secure separate CHED (Common Health Entry Documents) certificates for each individual product within their shipment.
However, switching to unaccompanied goods via Belgium means that producers will only need one singular CHED document; potentially reducing the level paperwork and costs involved in the export process.
Paul Rolfe adds: “There’s a huge interest in British-grown strawberries and blueberries in mainland Europe, and leading manufacturers know that they need to find the quickest way possible to export their fruit or vegetables before they start to deteriorate. These sanitation checks aren’t just for items of animal origin; they are also essential for any plant-based items. If you’re planning on exporting your goods abroad, finding a solution that could speed up your transportation times while simultaneously saving you money and maintaining the quality of your goods is a real win-win.”
He concludes: “There are endless opportunities available for British fruit, vegetable and plant manufacturers looking to export into Europe and further afield. However, many people are unwittingly put off from exporting plant-based items because it is deemed to be complicated or expensive. Thankfully, our innovative solution of transporting goods via Belgium rather than Calais is proving to customers significant money while also making the process quicker and easier than ever before. It is hugely exciting to see how simple changes in transportation can change the way that businesses work, and we can help to fly the flag for British produce around the world.”
For more information about Waller Transport Services, please visit wallertransportservices.co.uk