Fresh cherries for China

Over the last three years, global cherry imports have grown by almost 70 percent. One of the biggest producer countries is Chile. Last season, the country exported some 170.000 metric tons of cherries as part of a steadily rising trend. Its main buyer: China. In fact, approximately 94 percent of Chile’s total cherry exports went to the Far East. To ensure that the cherries arrive as fresh as possible, Hapag-Lloyd has been offering an express service since 2016 during the peak harvesting season, from November to January. This year, it also added a special 24-hour service during this period so that customers can reach Hapag-Lloyd around the clock.

“With our express service, we sail from Valparaíso to Hong Kong without an intermediate stop, making the crossing last only 22 days instead of 27,” says Rogelio Busto, Director Sales Reefer Area Chile. “With this service, we are catering to our customers’ desire. Thanks to the special handling, the exporters are happy about having better quality and therefore higher prices for their cherries.” This shorter transit time is made possible by two adjustments: First, the ships sail much more quickly. And, second, Hapag-Lloyd temporarily alters its rotation during the cherry season. “On the so-called ‘Cherry Express,’ we only discharge cherries during our first stop, in Hong Kong. So the good enjoys exclusive handling,” Busto explains. All other containers ultimately destined for Hong Kong will initially remain onboard and only be discharged following a side trip to the Taiwanese port of Keelung.

Popularity of Chilean Cherries is growing

Chinese imports of fruits and vegetables are on the rise – and, above all, imports of cherries from Chile. This rising demand has also prompted an increase in production in Chile. During the first Cherry Summit in Santiago, on April 25th, experts along the entire production and supply chain will gather to exchange ideas on how to continue boosting production of cherries and on the best ways to transport them. With a capacity of 176,000 TEU, Hapag-Lloyd boasts a competitive and modern reefer fleet. What’s more, the company ordered 7,700 new reefers last year. “We are continuously investing in our features and in our equipment. In addition, the reefer containers are checked twice a day on board to make sure that their temperature remains constant,” Busto says. During the voyage, the cherries are kept cool the entire time at between -1 and -0.5 degrees Celsius. “For next season two third of the vessels on this specific sling will be operated by Hapag-Lloyd. By doing that we want to offer even better service and reliability for you on this route”, says Busto. During cherry season, Hapag-Lloyd offers competitive transit times among others also to Shanghai, Keelung and Busan.

“Cherries are a very sensitive good, so they require a high amount of expertise,” Busto says. “With our adjusted service, our full-time customer service and our modern reefer fleet, the cherries are receiving our undivided attention.”