UK IT Outage and Its Impact on the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

In recent days, the UK has faced significant challenges due to a widespread IT outage caused by a Microsoft update issue from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.

The disruption has had notable effects on various sectors, with the fresh produce supply chain being particularly affected.

Scope of the Outage

Airports, airlines, train operating companies and ports are among the infrastructure and systems affected. 

While some airports and airlines continued to work with basic systems – some even relied on pens and paper – others have said they cannot operate flights until the issue is solved. 

Microsoft said it is working on “mitigation” of the outage. Although Microsoft does not appear to be directly responsible for the problems, the CrowdStrike software that has broken is often used as a security “plug-in” on computers using Microsoft’s operating systems. 

Outside of transport, many sectors of the global connected economy have been affected, including healthcare, payment systems affecting supermarkets, and broadcasters unable to use some systems or even get to Air. 

Over 1,000 flights were cancelled globally, significantly affecting airfreight shipments, which are crucial for transporting perishable goods like fresh produce.

Nicola Thomas, director of the UK Food and Drink Exporters Association, noted that the outage could have widespread knock-on effects for global food supply chains and deliveries.

What's more, international ports, including Poland’s largest container terminal, the Baltic Hub in Gdansk, experienced unprecedented delays, further exacerbating the time-sensitive situation.

Impact on the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

The fresh produce sector, which is already grappling with the aftermath of Brexit, COVID-19, and rising inflation, is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions.

The recent IT issues have compounded existing challenges such as increased costs of production and logistics.

John Giles from Promar International highlighted the cumulative impact of these disruptions, stressing the need for a resilient and well-structured supply chain to maintain a steady flow of high-quality produce.

The NCSC has released a statement saying that fixes are now available to resolve the issues. They urge affected organisations to refer to the relevant vendor guidance and take the necessary action.

Installing security updates is still an essential security practice and organisations should continue to install them when they are available. Organisations should also continue to use antivirus products as normal.

Future Resilience

The UK's dependency on imported fruits and vegetables remains high, making it essential to address the structural weaknesses in the supply chain.

The combination of IT disruptions, trade friction post-Brexit, and global logistical challenges necessitates a coordinated effort from all stakeholders, including growers, exporters, and trade associations, to build a more robust and resilient supply chain.

Ultimately, while the recent IT outage has highlighted vulnerabilities in the UK's fresh produce supply chain, it also underscores the need for long-term strategies to enhance resilience and fairness.

As the government and industry work together to address these challenges, the focus will be on ensuring a stable supply of fresh produce to UK consumers amidst an evolving global trade landscape.