Exporters have been trying to alter their transport plans in an effort to limit the impact of the hauliers' protest today.
A number of exporters, including mushroom-growers, have expressed concern about the potential financial consequences if their products are late getting to their destinations. Supplies for importers have also been affected by the truck-drivers' blockades across Britain and on the Continent.
Mr Brendan Farrell, president of the Irish Exporters' Association, said most "feeder vessels" for export products left at the weekend and "we are trying to reschedule sending some of our products to feeder vessels for later next week". He pointed out the movement of milk would be exempt from the hauliers' action and he understood perishable goods would also be looked after.
Mr Mike Neary, marketing executive for An Bord Glas, said the Irish Mushroom Association feared the effects of delays on produce with a very limited shelf-life. He said £1 million worth of mushrooms were exported each week to Britain, almost 75 per cent of total produce.
"Mushrooms are harvested early in the morning, go to a central distribution point and are normally on the shelves of UK multiples the following day," said Mr Neary. "Producers are trying to get as much product into the system to avoid the blockade and make the markets tomorrow."
Mr Peter Connolly, who runs a mushroom farm at Cornlaragh, near Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, said he expected to lose 20p on every pound of mushrooms he failed to export today. His daily crop goes to Lancaster and is normally worth 60p a pound, fresh. He accepted the hauliers had a case but said the present action "could have serious consequences for us. I suppose whenever there's an increase in the cost of anything it usually finishes up with us anyway".
Food-suppliers in Dublin have reported difficulty receiving some goods because of the British blockade.