Berries make their way to Asia, U.S.

DHL Global Forwarding set a company record number of charters in 2013 transporting perishables from South America, primarily Chile to Asia and Argentina to the U.S. market. 

“Despite freezing temperatures, heavy rain, hail and a gloomy forecast for the 2013 blueberry and cherry season in Argentina and Chile, charters transporting these delicate fruits proved to be exceptional,” said Roland Zach, vice president of Starbroker and head of global charters for DHL Global Forwarding. “At DHL Global Forwarding, we have been working diligently with our in-house carrier StarBroker to help exporters supply an eager Asian market and fill a gap for fresh fruit during certain peak seasons.”

For StarBroker, DHL Global Forwarding’s in-house air cargo carrier and charter broker, this season’s record charters on its MD11F flights from Santiago to Miami resulted in close to 30 flights. A large percentage of the carried fruits are destined to various locations in Asia.

Chilean blueberries and cherries are meeting an increasing need for these fruits in China, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, among other markets. For Argentina, DHL Global Forwarding via StarBroker transported in the 2013 season close to 20 charter flights of blueberries from Tucuman Airport in northern Argentina to Miami for distribution in the U.S.

“We have trusted DHL Global Forwarding for five years to transport our blueberries from the south of Chile to Santiago and finally to Miami,” Jose Hidalgo, procurement for Alpine Fresh, said. “We have chosen DHL for their efficient service, rates, expertise and optimal resolution of any exceptions in origin and destination. The safe arrival of our fresh fruit represents the hard work and livelihood of our employees.”

With Argentina’s blueberry season running from mid-October to mid-November and Chile’s from mid-November to mid-December, these crops fill a gap of fresh fruit not found in various parts of the world during these months. Although the U.S. is a producer of blueberries, these first charters of fresh fruit during the country’s winter months are particularly important.

“With the perishable nature of our blueberries, and the highly sensitive and rigorous handling involved, the product can only be managed by an experienced company with high-quality standards,” Luis Dandrea, CEO for ExpoFresh, said. “DHL’s highly professional staff gives us peace of mind, efficiency and predictability when transporting our fruit. Our partnership positioned us among the first direct flights from Tucuman in northern Argentina to Miami, helping us get our product to its final destinations in a shorter amount of time while maintaining its freshness.”