A 100 tonne batch of cherries, shipped by the airline Centurion Cargo, arrived in Hong Kong after a stopover in Miami.
This was the first direct flight for export from Patagonia, seeking a more direct route, with more control and care on the product than in traditional shipments from the distant Ezeiza Airport, located in the province of Buenos Aires.
"It was a milestone for the region's fruit growing sector and the International Airport of Neuquén, making it possible for cargo flights to depart from this southern region directly to the world, and becoming the third Argentinian airport to have this operational capacity," says Aníbal Caminiti, coordinator of the Fine Fruit Programme of Pyme-Adeneu Centre.
Argentinian early cherries seek to take advantage of better logistics, in a campaign with very good levels of production, when we expect to exceed 3,000 tonnes, as Caminiti told FreshPlaza in late September.
"We cannot compete with Chile's volumes, but with northern Patagonia's fruit we can adjust our logistics, making shipments by air, and anticipating the arrival of large volumes from Chile to the international markets. Thus, Patagonian cherries can arrive earlier to the world's most demanding markets, while preserving the high quality that characterises them," concludes Caminiti.
This time, five producers, packers and exporters of the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquen took part, all members of CAPCI (Argentinian Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers), who have been collaborating with the Pyme-Adeneu Centre (Economic Development Agency of Neuquen), promoting public-private actions to accompany the sector's development in the region.
More information:
Aníbal Caminiti
PyME - ADENEU CENTRE
acaminiti@smandes.com.ar
www.cpymeadeneu.com.ar