The President of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile AG (ASOEX), Iván Marambio, warned of the serious situation in the Logistic Support Extension Zone (Zeal) in the Port of Valparaíso, whose access is blocked for the transit of fruits for export. All of this is due to the strike of transporters, which has already lasted for the third day.
“The situation has become critical for our fruit exports. We have been able to witness, while traveling on some roads, that there are significant obstructions on Route 5 South. There are traffic problems in Paine, also between the Rosario and Rengo areas; but without a doubt the most complicated situation is being experienced in the Port of Valparaíso, where the strike by transporters is preventing the normal operation of this facility, which directly affects the delivery of the fruit for shipment onto ships,” Marambio said.
“Once again, our fruits are paying the cost of a problem that we did not cause, but that is having negative effects on our sector. For example, the loading and departure of the container ship HMM Blessing of the Cherry Express service is planned for today, which will leave tonight, but without the entire planned load of cherries due to the obstruction of the entry of the fruit to the facilities. This is serious, because it damages the external image of Chile and the fulfillment of the dates, but also our buyers and consumers in the external markets that are waiting for our fruit,” noticed.
The president of ASOEX was emphatic in pointing out that if the problem is not resolved quickly, the impact on the sector will be significant. “Yesterday we officially inaugurated the 2022-2023 export season, and we did so with an optimistic outlook, after the difficult previous year. However, what is happening today leaves us very concerned, and for this reason, we call on the Government and the leaders of the transporters to work on an agreement that allows the normal operation of Chile's roads and ports to resume as soon as possible. The fruit cannot wait,” hill.
