Merchandise valued at NIS 50 million, which included some 10,000 tons of fruits and vegetables, was stopped at the Ashdod port on Tuesday due to a strike.

The merchandise was intended for export to the European market ahead of the Easter holiday, according to the head of the fruit and vegetable growers' association, Ilan Eshel. The export included avocado, citron, pepper, herbs and other fresh agricultural produce.

Eshel called on the Finance Ministry to reach an immediate agreement with workers in order to prevent further obstacles to export. He also asked Histadrut labor federation chairman Ofer Eini and the heads of port workers' union to permit exports of agricultural, and thus perishable, merchandise despite the strike.

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In previous strikes, the Histadrut and employees reached an agreement to allow the export of agricultural merchandise.

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