"Our industry is directly affected by any stop of any sector linked to the export process in the country. We pay the consequences of these demonstrations and it is totally unfair. The fruit sector is once again being affected, as it is unable to continue with the normal process of loading containers, especially through the port of Valparaiso. Hence, we urge the Government authorities and the Customs officials to seek solutions to the conflict urgently in order to avoid further damage to the export economy," said president of Asoex.
"Dialogue must be a priority so that the problem is solved and it does not harm the economic sectors that work with perishables that can't wait. Once again, what's at stake here is not only the quality and condition of our fruit, but also our image as a reliable and dependable supplier country," added the leader.
Bown recalled that the customs strike wasn't the first strike to happen this export season, as they had also had to deal with the strikes in the ports of San Antonio and Los Angeles, USA, which caused serious economic damages to the fruit exporting sector and its image. In addition, producers and exporters in the north have been facing hardships due to a long drought and the rains in March.
"Right now we are exporting citrus, especially clementines, oranges and lemons, as well as apples, table grapes, kiwis, avocados and pears. Last season (2013-2014) we had exported a total of 16 million boxes of fresh fruits to different target markets in the same period, a figure we won't be able to match or beat without the normalization of exports," he emphasized.
The situation becomes critical in Ports
"We have been monitoring the situation and we know that the land, port, and air cargo has started to accumulate. Furthermore, operations to receive and forward freight are virtually paralyzed in the port of Valparaiso, and the situation is becoming more critical over time," said the leader.
Bown said that, up to last Friday night, there were reports of over 900 trucks with problems to access the port facilities or times exceeding 30 hours of wait at the Zeal of Valparaiso. There were than 1,700 containers without the possibility of release in TPS, and 3 ships that couldn't transfer their horticultural export cargo at TCVAL.
It is worth noting that the ports of San Antonio and Valparaiso are the most important ports in terms of shipment volumes of Chilean fresh fruit to international markets. According to figures from Asoex, last season Chile exported a total of 2,350,543 tons of fresh fruit; 1,197,464 tons of which were shipped through the port of Valparaiso and 719,213 tons through the port of San Antonio.
Bown stated that, up to Friday night, there were 500 trucks that couldn't enter the port of Valparaiso. The most critical situation, he said, was that 73% of 473 trucks carrying export products, had perishable cargo and their waiting period was greater than 32 hours. 59% of these trucks have refrigerated cargo, and the autonomy to maintain the required temperature for a limited time.
Up to Friday, the Terminal 1 of the TPS had a total of 6,125 TEU of cargo import and export inside and, in order to attend other ships, its critical 1,720 containers corresponding to the direct deferrs of the SANTA ROSA, SEABOARD PACIFIC, NYK LODESTAR and MCS LEANNE ships be dispatched as soon as possible.
The situation was no different in TCVAL, as Terminal 2 is having difficulties to comply with the transfer of horticultural export cargo of 3 ships that are ready to dock and operate in the dock.