Status: 12.01.2024, 19:05 PM
By: Natascha Heidenreich
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The motto in January is probably that a strike rarely comes alone. Farmers, hauliers, truck drivers – they all stop working. Consequences for consumers are feared.
Bremen – The pandemic years have taught us many lessons. First and foremost, consumers like to stock up when there are signs of a tense situation. In view of the nationwide farmers' protests by farmers, fears of empty supermarket shelves are increasing. As an expression of their protests, farmers have deliberately blocked important traffic arteries and highways with tractors – and thus also supply chains.
Concern about empty supermarket shelves at Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Co. – authority reacted
In any case, some state governments seem to share the fears of the citizens. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony and other governments decided without further ado to lift the Sunday driving ban for trucks as an exception in order to avoid the expected traffic chaos of the farmers' strike and to avoid a food shortage. The problem, however, was that the mega-strike on Monday (8 January) did not only involve farmers.
Freight forwarders and truck drivers joined the farmers in their protest. Among other things, its goal is to get the federal government to reduce the burden on tolls and diesel fuel. A joint rally is also planned for January 15 in Berlin, as reported on the homepage of the Federal Association of Road Haulage, Logistics and Disposal (BGL). To make matters worse, there will be the rail strike from Wednesday, 10 January, which will once again test the patience of commuters and rail passengers.
The farmers' protests in Germany have left shelves empty in some stores. For example, a Rewe store lacked fresh bread on Monday (8 January). Rewe does not expect any major bottlenecks. © Andreas Friedrichs/Imago
Impact of the strike on supermarkets: Netto central warehouse blocked by tractors
The impact of both demonstrations on end consumers is illustrated by a case in the district of Meissen. An X-user (formerly Twitter) reported in the night from Sunday to Monday (8 January) about a blockade at the Netto central warehouse in Thiendorf. Apparently, the trucks were to be sent on their way as early as possible in order to avoid the expected blockades with the tractors. During the night, regional farmers organized the first blockades at the central warehouse and throughout Saxony.
"We do not expect any major problems with the supply of goods": Aldi, Lidl and Rewe are prepared
Aldi, Lidl, Rewe and Penny do not expect any major bottlenecks. "Of course, we have prepared intensively for possible disruptions, taken precautions and continuously include all available information in our tour planning to ensure local supply. We do not expect any major supply problems in our stores," a Rewe spokesman informs with regard to fears of supply bottlenecks.
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Lidl, Penny and Aldi customers probably don't have to expect many empty shelves either: A Lidl spokeswoman confirms to IPPEN. MEDIA that the supply of goods to the Lidl stores was basically ensured. "We are in close contact with our suppliers and partners in order to enable our customers to make their usual purchases." And food shortages are also not an issue at Aldi Süd and the Rewe subsidiary Penny, according to their own statements. (NHF
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