British Columbia’s cherry season started later than normal this year – by about 23 days – as reported in an article last month. The season has only just started. “Picking for the domestic market has started and we are very excited for this year’s cherry export season,” said Issa Mahshi, Director of Strategic Customer Development, Perishable Logistics for Kuehne + Nagel Ltd. Supply looks promising and Mahshi says based on volumes seen from the Washington crop and from discussions with growers in the market, this year’s British Columbia cherry season is expected to yield a bigger harvest. The province could possibly look forward to a “bumper crop”.
Mahshi says they’re situated near Vancouver airport and hub and they have extensive flight connections to Asia, Middle East and Europe. “Our close proximity to the Vancouver airport, coupled with our strong relationships with all major airlines (and) years of expertise handling cherries is a formula for success,” he said.
Kuehne + Nagel is proud of its dedicated KN FreshChain vertical, which is a one-stop shopping concept that ensures perishable shipments (like cherries and other commodities) are kept cool and carefully packaged to prolong the fruit during transport and expected routings. All perishables exported by the KN FreshChain in Vancouver transit through the 9000-square foot perishable center with varying temperature chambers. “We work closely with all major airlines, (and we) manage routes for high volume uplift capacity for BC and Washington product,” he said.
Kuehne + Nagel recently invested in an X-Ray screening machine to meet with requirements set by Transport Canada and are able to screen cherries, blueberries and other commodities within a cold chain environment. “This will allow us to maintain a very hands on approach and quality control for our customers and that their products will reach their final destinations in the best possible condition,” said Adam Wheale, Perishable Logistics Development Executive.
They're running on a 24-hour a day, seven day a week operation, which already means they have to have a stable workforce for all products handled year round such as tomatoes, Canadian bell peppers, fresh/wild mushrooms, ferns, seafood and various other product. During cherry season however, Kuehne + Nagel increase their warehouse workforce to facilitate the added demand and popularity that British Columbia’s cherries bring.
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Issa Mahshi / Adam Wheale
Kuehne + Nagel Ltd.
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