Holyhead Port Delays

As of January 21, 2025, Holyhead Port has resumed operations after being closed for over a month due to damage from Storm Darragh. The port reopened on January 16, 2025, with the Terminal 5 berth back in service, allowing ferry operations to continue. However, Terminal 3 remains closed, and a timeline for its reopening has not been provided. 

To maintain full-service capacity, ferry operators have adjusted their schedules to accommodate the temporary reduction in berthing facilities. Stena Line and Irish Ferries are coordinating to ensure minimal disruption for passengers and freight services. Despite these efforts, some initial sailings experienced delays due to operational issues and technical problems with shore ramps. Stena Line is currently operating on schedule, while Irish Ferries is addressing the delays to restore timely services. 

The Welsh and Irish governments are collaborating to establish a task force aimed at preventing future disruptions of this nature. This initiative underscores the importance of Holyhead Port as a critical link between the UK and Ireland, and efforts are being made to enhance its resilience against adverse weather events and other potential challenges.

General Availability

Challenging scheduling over Christmas week meant that there were some gaps in supply on certain products. However, proactive sourcing and planning has meant that for the most part, we have been able to supply in full. As we move through January, suppliers will reopen and delivery schedules will normalise which will give us more consistent availability across our range of products. 

Caulibites

Caulibites are now finished and out of season. 

Aparagus

Peruvian season has now finished. Mexican season is due to ramp up mid-February. There is a potential for some supply limitations on asparagus in the meantime. 

Padron Peppers

Limited supply on this line. Cooler conditions at source is impacting yields. Availability has improved slightly but still limited.

Aubergines

Limited availability continues on this line. The colder spell has impacted yield which has dropped considerably in the last couple of weeks following an under-stream production the month before.

Padron Peppers

Limited supply on this line. Cooler conditions at source is impacting yields. Availability has improved slightly but still limited.

Avocados

Importers are still working to overcome the problems that were caused by delayed vessels. This has been exacerbated by the new season Chilean and Columbian crops being higher in dry matter and lower in oil, which means they are taking longer to ripen to the correct specification. We are not facing major availability concerns, despite the exceptional shortages in the market.

Citrus (Lemon & Limes)

 Quality of limes has improved but supply remains affected due to transport delays coming from source countries. Possibility we see some shortages here but confident customer impact will be at a minimum.

Strawberries

Growing regions in Spain have experienced heavy rainfall and low temperatures. As a result, there are supply problems across the entire berry range as fruit is not ripening or colouring as it should. We are expecting this to last for another five to seven days.   

Lettuces

Some lettuce lines such as butterhead lettuce have been impacted by poor weather in the last few weeks. Low light levels and cold temperatures have impacted growing and a result individual heads are not meeting size requirements. We may experience shortages here across the next seven or so days.

Berries

Growing regions in Spain have experienced heavy rainfall and low temperatures. As a result, there are supply problems across the entire berry range as fruit is not ripening or colouring as it should. The situation is being managed and shortages should be at a minimum.   

Lettuces

Some lettuce lines such as butterhead lettuce have been impacted by poor weather in the last few weeks. Low light levels and cold temperatures have impacted growing and a result individual heads are not meeting size requirements. We may experience shortages here across the next seven or so days.

Aubergines

Limited availability continues on this line. The colder spell has impacted yield which has dropped considerably in the last couple of weeks following an under-stream production the month before.

Cauliflower

Currently seeing some shortages with cauliflower due to the recent cold snap and poor weather. However, we are pulling in from multiple sources locally and are trying to mitigate customer impact as much as possible.

Spanish Onions

Spanish onions have now finished for the season. This is an early end to the season due to persistent and worsening quality issues. These quality issues have been caused by heavy and persistent rains in Spain during harvest. Mild and humid temperatures have exacerbated the issues. 

We have made the decision to transition to a large Dutch onion, Sysco Code 497159. This product is in stock and available to order now. 

Green Jalapenos

Market shortages on this line. Currently out of stock and waiting on update regarding resupply.

Scallions

Limited supply coming from Mexico on scallions due to sizing and quality issues. Extreme heat has also meant that harvesters have had to harvest during the night which has slowed down supply. There has also been an increase in pest activity which has caused further setbacks. Scallion supply will become easier to manage in the next week or so and supply is expected to become more consistent.

Avocados

There is a potential issue with larger sized avocados in the coming months. Peru saw a significant reduction of large fruit in its first crop, due to the effects of El Nino over the growing period. This will impact availability of larger fruit from mid to late June through to the start of the Chilean season and we are working through the implications of this. Smaller fruits are in plentiful supply. 

Berries

The Irish berry season is beginning to taper off. Imported products are now being sourced to fill the gap in the Irish supply.

Spanish Onions

Spanish onions have now finished for the season. This is an early end to the season due to persistent and worsening quality issues. These quality issues have been caused by heavy and persistent rains in Spain during harvest. Mild and humid temperatures have exacerbated the issues. We have made the decision to transition to 497159 Large Dutch Onions (1 x 19kg). This product is now in stock and available to order now. 

Raspberries & Blackberries

We are currently experiencing some disruptions on the supply of blackberries and raspberries. There are delays at ports and with customs which is limiting the volume arriving in. We are hoping these issues will subside across the next week or so.

Lettuce

Heavy rainfall across the Murcia region in Spain has caused flooding to occur in fields. As a result, suppliers have struggled to get into fields to harvest product. Nearly all varieties have been affected to some extent.

Transition to Dutch and Irish Season

Over the next few weeks, we will begin to transition away from Spanish originated products to Irish and Dutch products. Our Irish growers will begin to supply various lettuce products throughout May and June. Irish strawberries are also on track to begin mid-May. More long term, we expect Irish raspberries, celery and broccoli to begin in June. 

Our Spanish citrus will also be transitioning to Southern Hemisphere fruits in May while our avocados will also be moving away from Winter season origins to Summer season: we are expecting to have very consistent quality and internal pressures for our Ready to Eat avocados.

Lettuce

Heavy rainfall across the Murcia region in Spain has caused flooding in fields. As a result, suppliers have struggled to access fields to harvest the product. Nearly all varieties have been affected to some extent.

Blueberries

Weather conditions in Spain and Morocco has impacted market availability of blueberries. Cooler temperatures has impacted the ripening for berries. Rain in Spain has compounded this and exacerbated the issue. Currently we are managing these issues well with our supplier base and are hoping we will not experience any shortages. Quality and shelf life is still strong.

Baby Carrots

Irish season is expected to end imminently. Available volumes have been steadily decreasing over the last two weeks. Once finished, we will fully transition to imported products.

Irish Carrots

Straw covered crops are now being harvested. Straw covered crops have the advantage of protecting the crops from frost and cold weather. As such, Irish carrots are now available and are expected to be available until the end of May. Sysco codes, VW702, VW723 and VW724. 

Tomatoes

Availability across the entire tomato range is improving. Better weather in growing regions means that supply is starting to bounce back after several storms in Spain decimated supply. Demand remains strong which will continue to put pressure on supply.

Chillis

Reduced availability coming from Spain and Morrocco, similar to the issue with tomatoes, this is a result of heavy rain and flooding in Spain and port delays in Morrocco. Dutch season is starting and better availability is expected in two to three weeks.

Peppers

Supply of yellow, red and orange peppers is limited at the moment. Green pepper availability is stronger. We may experience further availability issues in the next 2/3 weeks while we transition to Dutch sources.

Avocado

Currently transitioning from winter origins to summer origins. As a result, there is a challenge with consistency of internal pressure on our RTE avocados. We are working with our supplier to limit the impact to the end customer as much as possible however there is a possibility we will see lower pressures for the next 3-4 weeks.

Sugarsnap & Mangetout

Egyptian and Guatemalan supply is due to finish up as the season there draws to a close. Kenyan supply is finishing earlier than expected due to wet weather. Both lines are expected to be tight for the next 4 – 6 weeks. Expecting product to begin arriving from Zimbabwe soon, however, supply will start off slow and gradually increase. 

Melons

The transition from Brazilian to central American supply has been challenging. This has been caused by a delay in planting in the central American region. Volume is currently being maximised through supplier collaboration and we will continue to do so while we transition to new season in full. 

Chilean Onions

Chilean onions are expected into stock by the end of April. There will be further details around availability and pricing in the next few weeks. Sysco code: 493429.

Beans (Fine & Extra Fine)

Kenya is experiencing heavy rains at present and these conditions are expected to continue until the middle of May. As a result. the yield on fine beans has plummeted which has caused a tightening of supply.

Chervil

Potential for limited supply here across the next 2 weeks. Customer impact expected to be minimal.

Green Jalapenos

We’re currently experiencing market shortages on 494300 Green Jalapeños (1 x 2kg) and are temporarily out of stock. We’re awaiting an update on resupply and will keep you informed

Baby Carrots

Irish season is expected to end imminently. Available volumes have been steadily decreasing over the last two weeks. Once finished, we will fully transition to imported products.

Sweet Potatoes

There are no current supply issues with sweet potatoes; however, potential disruptions may arise in the coming weeks. U.S. production is currently down due to unfavourable weather during the growing season.

Irish Carrots

Straw-covered crops, which are  protected from frost and cold weather, are now being harvested. Thanks to this method, Irish carrots are available and expected to stay in stock until the end of May. Check out Sysco codes VW702, VW723 and VW724!

Tomatoes

Recent wet conditions in Spain have affected the shelf life, quality, and availability across a wide range of tomato products. These challenges have been further compounded by port delays, slowing shipments from Morocco.

Chillis

Spain and Morocco are experiencing reduced availability, similar to the tomato shortage, due to heavy rain, flooding, and port delays. However, with the Dutch season starting, supply is expected to improve in the next three to four weeks.

Pumpkins

Turnips are now back in full supply. Both whole and prepared products are now fully available to order.

Courgettes

We have now moved onto full supply of Irish carrots with local Irish grower John Dockrell supplying. Sysco codes VW702, VW723, VW724.

Celery

We have now moved onto full supply of Irish celery with local grower Ger Harford supplying us. Sysco code VW809.