A new cherry export season has begun with high expectations at San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI). The departure of 15 Cherry Express ships is expected, which represents nearly 501 TP3T of the total cherries that will be exported from Chilean ports.
STI Chairman of the Board, Mauricio Carrasco, highlighted that “Our terminal is Chile’s main port and the main departure point for cherries. Our mission is to connect the work of so many Chileans with the world and ensure that this fruit is shipped in the best way so that it reaches its destination.”
The president of Frutas de Chile, Iván Marambio, said that “We are very pleased to officially launch our cherry exports, because despite the fact that this season has been affected by various climatic events, we believe that it will be a good season for the sector and for Chile.”
Marambio added that “In this 2023-2024 campaign we have faced climatic effects with fewer cold hours, as well as rain, during the spring. This mainly affected the early varieties, both Royal Dawn and Santina. Therefore, in the latest estimate of our Cherry Committee, it is indicated that we will send 81 million boxes of fresh cherries to the world, which is slightly lower than last year's shipments.”
In the same area, Claudia Soler, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Fruit Committee, pointed out: “The El Niño phenomenon, which we have been facing this season, has meant rains during harvest time, causing export volumes to change week to week. However, our industry has worked to adapt and respond in the best possible way, implementing roofs, drones, more resistant varieties, high-tech packaging, automated processing lines, among others, since our focus is to deliver quality fruit to Chile and the world.” he commented.
The Committee representative also reported that “To date, we have exported 5,147 tons of fresh cherries. Of these, 881 TP3T has been destined for China, followed by the United States (71 TP3T), Brazil (11 TP3T), Taipei and South Korea. 631 TP3T has been by air, so, today with this launch in San Antonio, we are also starting sea shipments with volumes that will continue to grow from now on.”
For his part, the National Director of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), José Guajardo, said that “We are all involved in this work. This development that starts in the orchard, starts with the fruit many months ago, passes through many hands, many states, through the commitment of different people and arrives here, at the port, to go to the tables of China and also of other important ports that are waiting for us with the fruit (…). We as SAG, are dedicated to protecting the phytosanitary heritage, in this case, and that is our main objective. Our institution has to give guarantees that the product that leaves Chile is of the best quality, totally harmless, healthy, that it can safely reach the tables of destination. And I believe that SAG has a lot of history and a lot of prestige in this regard, and we are concerned about taking care of it and that the health of the country is a guarantee to the world that we are doing things well.”
STI General Manager Rodrigo Galleguillos added that “We know that these months are critical for exporters, who have a high demand for their product. That is why our workers are especially committed to getting through this season with a safe, efficient and excellent service, and we have prepared a special plan to address it.”
Along the same lines, Ricardo Rodríguez, a terminal worker and spokesman for the Chilean Port Union, emphasized that “We know the importance of cherries for Chilean exporters and what they mean in the eastern market, particularly their arrival date. For this reason we want to give confidence to the parties that the workers at the STI terminal will make the necessary efforts so that each container of fruit reaches its destination in the conditions and on the established date.”
San Antonio International Terminal is currently in the middle of a project worth more than 15 million dollars that will provide the terminal with 27 new reefer towers. Additionally, a series of improvements have been implemented in terms of technology and infrastructure that allow for raising the standards of security and cargo traceability (biometric scanner, license plate reading system, the incorporation at the beginning of the year of new STS and RTG cranes).
The Asian market demand for cherries increases at this time: Chilean cherries are highly sought after and are given as a sign of good luck and prosperity in the New Year. This year, 2024, the holiday will be celebrated on February 10.
