Chilean Cherry Vessel Arrives in China with Damaged Cargo

Maersk's Saltoro container ship, carrying 1,353 containers of Chilean cherries, arrived at China's port of Nansha 28 days late due to a breakdown at sea. Although the cold chain was maintained, the fresh fruit arrived in poor condition, raising concerns about potential rejection by Chinese authorities. The National Association of Agriculture (SNA) president, Antonio Walker, inspected the containers and cautioned about compromised quality. Chinese Customs is conducting inspections to determine the fate of the substantial shipment, with potential losses estimated to exceed US$100 million. This incident significantly impacts Chile's global export of cherries, especially for small producers reliant on the Chinese market. The situation underscores the risks of relying heavily on a single market and highlights the need for agricultural exporters to diversify.