Shortage of refrigerated containers and rising tariffs amid the South American fruit shipping season

With the start of the fruit export season in Chile, the refrigerated container (reefer) market is experiencing a significant rise in rates, driven mainly by growing demand and equipment shortages. In this context, external factors, such as port congestion in Asia and strikes in the United States, are generating a domino effect that goes far beyond Chilean borders, said María Cecilia Ríos, Administrative Manager of Fresh Cargo to Más Container. In addition, due to better freight prices in Chile, shipping companies are prioritizing their resources there, reducing the availability of reefers in neighboring countries such as Peru and Ecuador. Chile is ranked as one of the main fruit exporters in the southern hemisphere, that is undeniable, especially based on perishable products such as cherries, blueberries and grapes. These products require transport under controlled refrigeration conditions to ensure their freshness in destination markets, particularly in North America and Asia. ...