MMD Shipping Services has imported Chilean grapes into the UK via Portsmouth International Port for the first time.
Theshipping firm first received 1,100 pallets worth of grapes, in 12 different containers, from Chilean fresh produce supplier NYKCool on March 27.
The arrival was the first of eight weekly shipments of grapes from Chile due to dock at the port with the grapes then distributed into UK supermarkets.
MMD recently improvedits warehouse facilities at the port in a bid to boost its links to theCarribbean and port manager Martin Putman says that the investment is attracting more business with overseas fresh produce suppliers.
Putmanexplained: 'It's always exciting to get a long-distance visitor at the port, especially when it is carrying an important cargo we haven't handled in bulk at Portsmouth before.
'This new contract with NYKCool proves that investment in new facilities is allowing us to expand our horizons, taking new business from areas of the world that might not have been possible before.'
International producer Del Monte is also currently importing bananas through Portsmouth port.
