Port of Los Angeles receives first cargo of Chilean fruit for 2024

This week, the first ship loaded with Chilean fruit of 2024 arrived at the Port of Los Angeles (USA). This vessel transported more than 5,300 pallets of table grapes and stone fruit, marking the beginning of the winter season that runs from January to early April.

 

The Port of Los Angeles stands out as the only one on the West Coast of the United States that receives specialized refrigerated cargo vessels from Chile, consolidating its position as the main stop for Chilean fruit imports distributed to Canada and eastward to Texas.

 

The Ivar Reefer, operated by Cool Carriers, departed the Port of Coquimbo on January 3, the first of many expected to arrive at the port during the season. 

 

Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka stressed that the port has invested significantly, allocating nearly $1 million in 2021 to upgrade its breakbulk building at Berths 54-55, a terminal operated by SSA Marine. This building serves as the port's main staging area for pallets of Chilean products, which are then quickly distributed through an extensive network of refrigerated truck services and cold storage facilities.