Both concessionaires accounted for 11,776 containers of cherries that set sail for the Asian giant from the country's main port in the period 2023-2024.

Cherries are one of Chile's most important non-mining exports. Our country is the world's largest producer of this fruit. Its main market is China, which receives 851 TP3T of national shipments.

The harvest is mainly between October and November, with exports increasing considerably at the end of each year. One of the reasons that most strongly impacts the purchase of Chilean cherries in the Chinese market is the celebration of its New Year (February 10), since for consumers in the Asian giant these fruits symbolize perfection, eternity, prosperity and fortune, and are given as a sign of good luck.

The cherry export season at the port of San Antonio ran from November 27, 2023 to January 9, 2024, with the main destinations being Nansha with 47,06% of the total cargo (6,166 containers), Shanghai with 35,29% (4,027 containers) and Tianjin which reached 17,65% (1,583 containers).

With shipments made on 17 ships that sailed from San Antonio International Terminal and DP World San Antonio, the port managed to export 11,776 containers, 2,516 more than the previous season, representing an increase of 27,171 TP3T.

While the STI terminal handled 9,496 containers of cherries to China, DP World transferred a total of 2,280 containers.

One of the relevant aspects of the current season was the implementation of direct routes from Puerto San Antonio to China, such as the “Cherry Express” service, which significantly reduced the travel time from 28 to 22 days, also incorporating the port of Tianjin, which allows for greater distribution in the northern part of the Asian giant.

“The 2023-2024 season was a success thanks to the joint work and coordination with our dealers STI and DP World, the transporters and the entire logistics chain, who managed to meet the needs of the exporters of this valued Chilean product. Increasing the export of cherries through the Puerto San Antonio terminals is very significant because it also shows that we are making progress in increasing efficiency in the movement of cargo,” said the Operations Manager of Puerto San Antonio, Jorge Santos.

Source: Port of San Antonio.