China has begun operations to destroy approximately 1,300 containers of Chilean cherries that were irreparably damaged after the Saltoro ship from Maersk was stranded at sea for over 20 days.
The cargo, consisting of over 24,000 tons of fruit valued at more than $120 million (about €110 million), was officially rejected by Chinese authorities in early March.
The removal of the cargo from the port of Nansha began on March 12, with the goal of clearing the area and initiating the disposal process, which is expected to take several days.
Local authorities organized the transfer to avoid interfering with port traffic, given the port’s strategic importance for international trade.
To handle the destruction of such a large quantity of spoiled fruit, eight companies specializing in the disposal of perishable goods were selected.
Before the final destruction, however, the containers will undergo a thorough inspection by insurance company experts and representatives from Chilean exporting companies to document the actual condition of the goods and facilitate the start of compensation procedures.
Maritime insurance experts estimate that the compensation process could take between three to six months. However, considering the financial scale of the damage and the bureaucratic complexity, further delays cannot be ruled out.
This incident represents a heavy blow to Chile’s cherry industry, which has spent years building a prominent position in the Chinese market — one of the most profitable and fast-growing for this product.
Chilean producers fear repercussions not only for the current season but also for the reputation of future exports. Industry associations are already calling for a review of logistics procedures and transport policies to prevent similar situations from happening again.
At an international level, the fruit and vegetable sector is closely monitoring the situation. Events of this scale can influence consumer perception of the quality of imported products and disrupt global trade dynamics in an environment already marked by logistical difficulties and economic instability.
Source: Fruitnet
09 Dec 2024
Claire Scofield studies the effects of environmental conditions under rain covers on calcium uptake in cherries. The aim is to further our understanding of xylem dynamics and the impact of rain covers on these processes.
02 May 2024
Research conducted between Chinese and Saudi Arabian universities show that the combination of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and gibberellic acid efficiently break bud dormancy in sweet cherry trees in a short period of time reducing abscisic acid levels and inducing bud break.
31 Mar 2025
Artificial intelligence is revolutionising cherry sorting, ensuring greater precision, reduced waste and higher quality. Find out how advanced technologies such as deep learning optimise packaging and improve productivity in the fruit and vegetable sector.
31 Mar 2025
Find out the results of workshops on cherry vigour management in Australia, with updates from Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and NSW. International experts and innovations to optimise cultivation. Read more about winning techniques and strategies.
