The German candy giant Haribo says it is struggling to get its products on store shelves in the United Kingdom. There are not enough truck drivers, the company says.
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“Like many manufacturers and retailers across the country, we are experiencing difficulties due to a national driver shortage,” the company says. Haribo tries to work out solutions with partners in the sector. Retail chains have been complaining about problems for months.
Transport Federation Road Haulage Association says there are about 60,000 drivers short. The reason is that there were about 30,000 fewer driving tests last year due to the pandemic.
In a normal year, 72,000 candidates are trained, and 40,000 pass the exam. Only 15,000 truckers completed their training last year, according to the organization.
In addition, many foreign drivers would have left for their countries of origin during the lockdown periods, and not all of them return. Brexit would also play a role in the scarcity.
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