This Monday, various leaders of fruit unions called to stop the 25% increase in refrigerated freight rates, which was announced by shipping companies and which is added to those carried out in recent times.
The representatives indicated that the new increase in sea freight coincides with the start of the 2022-2023 export season for cherries and other fruits such as blueberries and nectarines, once again significantly affecting shipments with increases according to blueberriesconsulting.com
The situation worries the fruit industry, since one of the most expensive destinations is Asia, where a large part of the national fruit arrives and is especially important for cherry exports, more than 90% of which are destined for China.
Regarding fresh fruit in general, the president of the National Agricultural Society (SNA), Cristián Allendes, explained that "we see that the price of refrigerated maritime transport has risen in an incomprehensible way. Added to this is the fact that the shipping companies have not met the agreed deadlines, which has caused our products to arrive late and in poor condition, without assuming their responsibility for this poor service.
For the start of this season, the rate would show an increase of almost 100% in the last two years. The new increase that would begin this November has generated confusion among fruit producers and exporters represented by SNA, Asoex and Fedefruta, who point out that worldwide maritime cargo rates have dropped sharply.