The fruit and vegetable export sector of the Dominican Republic held a meeting with government officials and the US embassy in the framework of the "Processes for the entry of fruits and vegetables for the port and airport of Miami" conference, which will help boost exports of these products to the United States.
The activity was organized by the Export Quality Program and was attended by important officials from the US customs, the United States Department of Agriculture, and representatives of the port and airport of Miami, who gave details of updated import requirements for fruits and vegetables to Miami.
Miami International Airport is the leading freight terminal area in the United States and the main gateway between the Caribbean and the world. The Dominican Republic ranks eighth in terms of trading partners throughout Latin America, as it moved 26,000 metric tons of cargo valued at US $ 1,062 million in 2016.
Even though the state of Florida has been a traditional destination for important Dominican agricultural products, such as avocados, peppers and eastern vegetables, pest interceptions at entry terminals have posed a significant threat to the sector.
Representatives of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) presented the key requirements for the entry of fruits and vegetables so as to promote actions that lead to the export of products that aren't contaminated by pests or other external agent.
Fernando Lenis, the head of the USDA-APHIS Florida's Identification Laboratory, spoke about the current situation in the region regarding pests and the economic impact of the fumigation of shipments in the United States.
The information presented at the event will allow the export sector to remain at the forefront of actions and preventive or corrective measures in this type of situation.
Ernesto Rodriguez, who was representing the Miami International Airport, highlighted the importance of managing the cold chain before and during its arrival at the airport, and emphasized the importance of exporters making the necessary modifications and proper practices, as the cold chain guarantees the products' quality and minimizes the development of pests in perishables.
Source: hoy.com.do