"It is impossible for these cherries to enter the Chinese market"

Over 1,300 containers on the Maersk Saltoro, carrying more than $100 million worth of cherries from Chile, are in uncertainty in a Chinese port as inspections reveal the fruit in some containers is in poor condition and may be destroyed due to mold and rot. However, the extent of the damage and the unloading process remain unclear, with no decision on the entire cargo and concerns about capacity for a large shipment. Industry members and authorities are awaiting more information to proceed with claims and future actions. Frutas de Chile, among other Chilean companies, is closely monitoring the situation.

(Agraria.pe) Uncertainty continues to reign as Chilean exporters and Chinese importers await the fate of the more than 1,300 containers that arrived on the Maersk Saltoro. It has been more than a week since the long-delayed vessel arrived at the Chinese port of Nanshang. The “official” statement circulated last week indicated that the fruit in the 20 containers inspected was in poor condition and had to be destroyed. Given the long delay of almost two months, many in the industry expect the entire cargo to have to be discarded. However, landfill facilities and port authorities do not have the capacity to handle such a large shipment. Samples were also sent to laboratories to determine the condition and other food safety risks the shipment might pose. One Hong Kong importer says they still don’t know anything about the unloading process, inspections, claims, etc. "At the moment, customs has not provided any information. The information I have received is that customs saw, when ...