PortMiami has announced that from this month it will be able to process up to 6,000 pallets of fruit and vegetables per day. The announcement comes ahead of the start of the Chilean and Peruvian export seasons for table grapes and asparagus – both of which need to be fumigated before entering the US market.
The news follows last August’s expansion of on-port fumigation facilities which increased capacity from 400 pallets to 4,000 pallets per day. The port said the expansion will improve efficiency and delivery time, getting products to market faster and fresher.
“The expansion…means that we will save exporters time and money, delivering a fresher, quality product to the American consumer,” said port director Bill Johnson. “We are excited about this new service and the improved efficiency it will provide for our customers.”
The extra capacity is good news for Chilean blueberry shippers following yesterday’s news that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorised the fumigation of Chilean blueberry exports at the port of entry into the US.
