Not only heating costs are exploding, but also cooling costs: In a letter to the government, the branch for frozen and fresh food warns of supply gaps in supermarkets.
Representatives of the food industry have turned to the federal government with a drastic call for help: in the open letter, several associations warn of the dramatic consequences of the energy crisis for their member companies – and of gaps in the daily food supply of consumers. The federal government must therefore quickly grant appropriate aid.
The food industry is currently experiencing the worst crisis since the Second World War, according to the letter addressed to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Food Minister Cem Özdemir. In particular, energy-intensive companies in the medium-sized frozen and fresh food industry are at a standstill “facing an existential threat as a result of the energy crisis”.
“situation more than serious”
The manufacturers of frozen food, cold stores and logistics companies, trade and sales are affected. “Everyone who works day and night in the ‘cold and deep-freeze chain’ for the temperature-controlled food supply of millions of people in Germany is currently confronted with dramatic price increases for their electricity and gas supply.” In addition, there would be burdens from disrupted supply chains, a lack of personnel and shortages of raw materials.
The cost increases could no longer be offset by savings or higher prices. As a result, companies feared that production lines would come to a standstill, that refrigerated logistics centers for food distribution would be closed, or that they would even go bankrupt altogether. “We therefore expressly warn: There is a risk of significant supply gaps in the daily food supply of people in Germany. The situation is more than serious!”
The warning is linked to an appeal to the federal government to take appropriate remedial action. The associations call for energy subsidies for energy-intensive companies “now come at very short notice” would have to. In addition, the energy cost containment program should be opened up to all medium-sized companies in the deep-freeze chain – and the energy supply should be secured with the highest priority.
The initiators of the letter are the German Frozen Food Institute and the Association of German Cold Stores & Cold Logistics Companies. The letter is also signed by the Federal Fish Association, the Association of the Meat Industry, the sausage and ham producers, the fruit trade and the confectionery industry.
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Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
