Fruit shipments from a port at Valparaíso, Chile, rose by 170% in the first two weeks of December, compared to the same period in 2009, according to a news release from port operator Terminal Pacífico Sur.

From Dec. 1 to 15, 8,400 metric tons left the Valparaíso, the statement said. The number of pallets shipped increased by 6%.

Seasonal fruits such as blueberries, cherries, avocado and stone fruit were shipped to the ports at Philadelphia and Los Angeles in the United States.

About half of fruit and vegetable shipments from Chile leave from Valparaíso. The other main port for fruit shipments is further south in San Antonio.

It is expected that shipments will continue to rise in January and February, when the main export product will be table grapes.

Fruit exports hit their peak between December and March.

Photo: Terminal Pacífico Sur

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com