Chilean fruits have problems entering the west coast of the United States
A labor dispute in the ports of the west coast of the United States has led Chilean fruit exporters to send their cargo through other terminals, which has increased the time of arrival in the North American market, said on Monday the Association of Chilean Exporters (ASOEX).
"Some export companies have adopted the strategy of sending their shipments to the east cost and dispatch shipments by land, crossing the entire United States, in order to comply with commercial commitments, which entails higher costs and challenges for the arrival condition of Fruit"Said ASOEX President Ronald Bown.
Chile sends grapes, kiwis, apples and other foods to the northern hemisphere during the austral summer, which are affected by a sit-down strike that increases the unloading time in the main market for the country's fruit, according to the association.
Currently, three vessels are at sea waiting to dock, with around 45 millions of dollars in goods, with another five ships planned for mid-March.
Supply chains in the Pacific Ocean have been affected, which has led some Asian suppliers to opt for higher cost air transport.
US Labor Secretary Tom Perez will travel to California on Tuesday to help mediate between transportation companies and port workers, who have slowed work at ports along the Pacific coast of the United States.
"ASOEX expects this situation to return to normal as soon as possible, for which it is requesting the Chilean diplomatic authorities in that country to act in order to solve the problem"Bown said.
The actions of the exporters have been added by the Chilean Government through its commercial offices in the North American country, which have sought new points of entry and possibilities of ground transportation for shipments.
So far, the load of Chilean fruit has been redirected to the ports of Houston and Philadelphia, and this week could add the Miami.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the port closest to California, there are delays of at least 10 days to download, said the Directorate of International Economic Relations of Chile (Direcon).
Nearly one 30 percent of fruit exports from Chile to the United States usually arrive at the affected ports.
Source: Gestión.pe
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