Coronavirus Hong Kong: fears of more pressure on food prices and supply as ‘15 per cent of cross-border vegetable truckers plan to quit’ over tough rules

The government should also implement more measures to reduce the risk of drivers testing positive for the coronavirus, such as increasing the number of rest spots and cutting down contact with other workers, they added on Wednesday.

Vegetable supplies in Hong Kong took a hit after dozens of drivers were stuck at Man Kam To Control Point on Monday, the city’s major gateway for fresh goods, as authorities conducted disinfection measures.

The reduced supply also caused prices of some staple vegetables, such as Chinese green cabbage, to skyrocket. According to statistics from the Vegetable Marketing Organisation, Chinese green cabbage sold for HK$6.6 per kilogram (85 US cents) at the beginning of the month, but had increased by 194 per cent to HK$19.40 as of Sunday. The price dropped to HK$13.40 per kilogram by Tuesday as operations stabilised.

According to data from the Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong receives 92 per cent of its vegetables from mainland China.

Shenzhen officials confirmed seven cross-border drivers had tested positive for Covid-19 as of Monday. While operations were allowed to resume by Monday evening, unionists said they believed it could take some time for supplies to fully recover.

Industry leaders said cross-border truck drivers living on the mainland were not allowed to reunite with their families or return home after they finished work and had to undergo daily testing.

According to Chan Chi-wai, board director of the Hong Kong Imported Vegetable Wholesale Merchants Association, 15 per cent of about 300 vegetable truck drivers planned to resign as the strict measures were too exhausting for them.