Multimodal transport - which combines land and sea routes under temperature control and with phytosanitary protocols - has become key for South American fresh fruit exporters to reach markets such as Europe, the United States, and Asia. Companies such as Padwor offer complete logistics solutions for sectors that depend on an uninterrupted cold chain.
Padwor operates in Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay and has over twenty years of experience. The company focuses mainly on exporting sensitive products such as pears, apples, citrus fruits, grapes, blueberries, pomegranates, avocados, cherries, fish, and meat, particularly from regions with less connectivity or infrastructure. "Many exporters from remote regions, such as the northeast and south of Argentina, choose to ship their products through Chilean ports, even in winter, because there are few regular connections from the Atlantic coast," stated Carlos Pacheco, the company's director.
The company has a fleet of more than 60 trucks, mainly in Chile, equipped with generators to ensure that the cargo remains in ideal conditions from departure to arrival at the port. In addition to road transport, the company also handles customs formalities and works with major shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, One, and Cosco. "The limited access to maritime services in countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, and the global concentration of shipping companies have limited the logistics options for exporters," stated Ignacio Luparia, the company's commercial director.
The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a shortage of containers and overcrowded ports. Freight prices stabilized after that period, but remain high in some cases. For example, transporting avocados from Peru in containers with controlled atmosphere can cost $5,000 to $7,000 per container. This trend, they stated, is due to over-demand in certain markets and a global structure that is still recovering from years of disruption.
Another challenge is infrastructure and connectivity at the source. Logistical alternatives to Atlantic ports are often not viable due to costs, availability, or sanitary regulations.
In response, Padwor has developed solutions via less traditional routes, such as shipments from Chile to Russia via the Atlantic, or from Uruguay to North America via Chile.
"A single day's delay can mean losing a market. That's why we seek to offer viable alternatives," Pacheco stated. Cooperation with shipping companies, experience with cross-border transport, and knowledge of phytosanitary requirements per country have been decisive for the success of this proposal.
While margins are increasingly tight and pressure on logistics costs remains high, the role of flexible logistics service providers with a regional presence is becoming increasingly important.. Adaptability and operational stability are as important in transporting perishable goods as reaching the final destination.
For more information:
Ignacio Luparia and Carlos Pacheco
Padwor
Argentina
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
www.padwor.com