Biobío's regional export of fresh fruit since the opening of the SAG/USDA sanitary inspection site in Cabrero has grown significantly. According to the Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex), national shipments reached 5.6 million during the period from September 2016 to August 2017, where dispatches managed through Puerto Coronel where highlighted. A terminal that increased the volume of fresh fruit on board by 30.5%.
"The United States is one of the main destinations of Chilean fruit, so having a new precinct to fulfill an essential entry requirement to that country has been good news for the region," said Rodrigo Schilling, commercial assistant manager of Puerto Coronel.
Although an inspection in this region does not guarantee that the cargo goes through this area's terminals, the savings involved in traveling 500 kilometers less have had their impact. "The interest in taking advantage of this logistical savings is growing since the opening of the SAG/USDA site in Cabrero, because favorable conditions for exports are being generated," Schilling said.
Via Coronel from December to January shipped mostly blueberries and berries, to which apples and pears are added during the rest of the season. "The fruit represents about 70% of the reefer load we have moved this year," explained the executive charting the growth of these shipments in refrigerated cargo, from its traditional 40%.
The trend observed allows projections that 2017 will end with 12,000 reefer containers, slightly surpassing the amount transferred the previous year. Puerto Coronel continues to lead Biobío’s transfer and plans to finish 2017 with 6.8 million tons.
Puerto Coronel has reefer connections inside and outside the terminal, gasified containers for controlled atmospheres, in addition to an alliance with Frigorífico Pacífico and weekly shipping services to North America, Europe and Asia.
Source: mundomaritimo.cl