P & O Ferries has laid off 800 British workers in favour of cheaper foreign labour. The company caused not only problems with British lawmakers through its actions, but also delays in Dover after it ceased operations. The supply chain in the UK, which was already affected by Brexit and COVID, is now facing even more problems due to reports that fresh food will not arrive in stores due to cancelled ferries.

The consequences of this crisis in Dover will also affect independent retail, with possible shortages of European fruit and vegetables. Richard Harrow, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, said: “the movement of food and drink in and out of the UK is clearly disrupted, as evidenced by the 20 miles of stationary trucks in Kent. This is especially a problem for fresh products with a short shelf life, such as exported seafood and meat, and for imported fruit and vegetable products, as the products spoil due to delays and reduce their value. The frozen food industry is fortunate that our products stay fresh even if they are delayed, but the additional costs associated with delays are still extremely problematic.”