As a result of the preventative measures put in place by the Chinese Government to try to control the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country, a total of 1,500 containers with Chilean fruits are stuck in the ports of China.
As confirmed by Chilean Agriculture Minister Antonio Walker, "the 1,500 containers in the ports of China mainly contain cherries. 80% of the production had already been sold, but there are also some nectarines, plums, and blueberries, and there are more than 1,300 containers on the way there."
Walker, from Antofagasta, reported that "many companies are seeing the possibility of redirecting that fruit to other international markets that are also from Southeast Asia."
The coronavirus has put exports at risk after the Chinese government decided to extend the New Year holidays due to the outbreak, so it has not been possible to sell Chilean productions.
The National Agriculture Society of Chile had denounced this situation, saying that the fruit was being lost. However, Walker said, the Chilean government has coordinated with the embassy on a plan to maintain the cold chain for products to minimize losses.
Source: cooperativa.cl