Posts Tagged “PortMiami”
Shipments of asparagus from Peru to PortMiami have continued to grow this year after last year’s record.
During the first three months of the year, the Florida port has processed a record number, over 14.1 million of pounds of asparagus.
“Miami-Dade County is a new gateway for asparagus from Peru to Florida, as well as for millions of consumers across the USA and Canada,” the port said in a release.
During 2020, PortMiami imported over 148.7 million pounds of
asparagus, shattering the previous year’s record of 112.9 pounds.
Over the years, the number of asparagus has increased exponentially, from just 26.2 million pounds in 2017.
So far this calendar year, PortMiami has imported 13 percent more than by the same time last year.
The significant increases in asparagus imports via ocean transportation to Miami demonstrate that importers consider PortMiami as their preferred gateway.
“The reason that Miami-Dade County attracts asparagus from Peru is due to the fact that we have an abundance of cold storage warehouses and some of the most experienced fumigation providers in the industry,” the press release said.
Peru contributes the largest share of asparagus that enters into PortMiami. The majority of asparagus varieties imported from Peru to PortMiami are Green Asparagus.
Demand for Imports from Peru have been substantial this year. A major factor for Peruvian growers is that the climate allows two full crops of asparagus a year, providing plenty of vegetables to Miami-Dade County.
According to Max Rodriguez, Director of Peru Trade Office, Miami. (PROMPERU), “Miami, despite the Covid19 crisis, asparagus exports continued to grow in 2020 and will continue to grow in 2021, consolidating Peru as the main supplier of asparagus in Florida and the second supplier in the United States.”
Recently Seaboard has added an express service between Peru and PortMiami that has helped create an exponential increase in asparagus imports, as the express route is only 9 days from Callao, 7 days from Paita and 6 days from Guayaquil.
More produce loadings are available at three ports in the Southestern United States.
According to fiscal year 2014 statistics, more than 1 million 20-foot equivalent units — the standard measurement for cargo containers — moved through Port Everglades, almost evenly split between imports and exports. A continually increasing portion of the import units were filled with fresh produce, primarily from Central America and South America.
PortMiami is the only U.S. port with direct, non-stop access to the U.S. interstate highway system. Its rail and highway connections are promoted as ensuring that perishable goods reach 70 percent of the U.S. population in four days or less. It boasts same-day delivery of perishable goods to markets in central Florida, with next-day service to markets in Atlanta and the Southeastern U.S.
PortMiami has 228 million square feet of warehouse space with more than 13 new bulk warehouses under construction. It also lays claim to being the U.S. port closest to Latin America and the Caribbean, resulting in shorter shipping times and extended shelf life for perishables.
Last summer, the Port of Savannah, GA, announced it would import South American citrus, grapes and blueberries that “will arrive sooner and last longer for consumers in the Southeastern U.S.”
South American fresh fruit destined to the Savannah port has traditionally been shipped to Northern U.S. ports. Delivery to Savannah means fruits won’t have to be trucked as far to reach Southeastern markets, allowing fresher fruit and longer shelf life.