An independent Harrogate greengrocer has warned there could be fruit shortages due to the ongoing chaos at the UK’s borders.

Last night France closed its border with the UK for 48 hours because of a new strain of coronavirus found in the south of England. This caused huge tailbacks and panic buying.

The end of the UK transition period to leave the EU on December 31 is set to cause further delays at ports.

The issue has caused concern among national and local retailers.

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s warned today port restrictions could leave the UK without fruit and vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and citrus fruits, which are all imported at this time of year.

Its fears were echoed by James Sore, co-owner of greengrocer Roots & Fruits, on King Edward’s Drive in Harrogate.

Mr Sore said the queues at Dover were already having an impact on his shop, which was recently without plums for two or three days.

He said the plums were “floating on a ship” because lorries were unable to bring them back to Harrogate.

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He added problems at ports were likely to affect the supply of tropical fruit, such as citrus fruits and bananas, which can only be grown in warmer climates:

“It’s a concern. People will have to change their buying habits. But nobody really knows what will happen. It’s a case of suck it and see.”

Despite predicting shortages on imported produce, Mr Sore said local farmers could receive a boost due to having a “captive market”.

Chris Herron, from Killinghall wholesaler J G Bellerby, which supplies produce to restaurants and shops across the district, said he wasn’t worried about food shortages, despite the long tailbacks of lorries in Kent.

He said the company will “ride it out” and see what happens. But he suggested the prices of some vegetables, such as cauliflowers, could rise.

Earlier this month, North Yorkshire County Council played down fears that frozen food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.

North Yorkshire County Council has played down fears that food is being stockpiled at schools and care homes to prepare for the end of the Brexit transition period.

The UK’s transition period to leave the EU will end on December 31. Many companies and public bodies are having to make plans, with transport firms expecting queues at the border.

Stella Perrott, a member of the campaign group North Yorkshire for Europe, sent a Freedom of Information request to North Yorkshire County Council, asking what preparations it was undertaking as the December 31 deadline approached.

NYCC released a Brexit risk assessment, published in September, which states that “there is significant risk of delays at ports that will impact supply chains” and that the authority is evaluating capacity for frozen food storage.

As the council has responsibility for education and public health in the Harrogate district, Ms Perrot suggested the council’s response meant it could be stockpiling food at schools and care homes.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council to update us on its plans for Brexit. In a statement, NYCC said it is “managing any adverse impact” that may arise from Brexit, but said this did not involve stockpiling food.

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Shaun Mancrief, head of traded service at NYCC said:

“These frozen food supplies are the regular supplies to our school catering service and elderly persons’ homes. This includes vegetables, bread, ice cream and fish. These products are sourced locally as far as possible, including all vegetables.

“Our aim is simply to manage any adverse impact that may arise from Brexit so that we can continue the regular service of providing meals to schools and elderly persons’ homes.

“We are working closely with our suppliers on this. At this stage, there are no issues with supply or storage of frozen food. Under normal circumstances, our suppliers hold high levels of stock as this allows them to manage pricing to give us the best possible value.

“We are not stockpiling food for our services, simply ensuring that business as usual can be maintained.”