The authority confirmed that the transported cargo is in poor condition and cannot be sold.
After inspecting 20 containers out of the 1,353 that the ship was carrying to China, and analyzing them in a laboratory, the results confirmed that the fruit inside cannot be marketed.
According to Frutas de Chile, Miguel Canala-Echeverrรญa, the general manager of the organization, is currently in the Asian country monitoring the situation and holding meetings with representatives of Chinese customs, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) of Chile, and the Chilean embassy at the port of Nansha.
“Next Monday, February 24, we will hold a new on-site meeting with the inspection officials to assess the progress of the process. All this information has already been communicated to the members of the Cherry Committee of Frutas de Chile to keep them informed of the developments,” the organization stated.
It is important to remember that the problem originated from the delays experienced by the Maersk Saltoro, which encountered significant delays on its journey across the Pacific Ocean due to adverse weather conditions and operational complications, resulting in extended transport times and a significant impact on the quality of the fruit.
This case is particularly sensitive as China represents the main export destination for Chilean cherries, a highly competitive market with stringent sanitary standards.
After the discovery of the first 20 containers in poor condition, it has been decided to expand inspections to the rest of the cargo. Chinese authorities have implemented strict quality control measures and continue to examine the merchandise to determine how much of the fruit is suitable for sale.
While the situation remains uncertain, the economic impact is expected to be significant, as the value of the compromised cargo is substantial, and the rejection of the merchandise could result in major losses for Chilean exporters.
Exporting companies and Chilean authorities are on alert, awaiting the resolution of the case and evaluating possible measures to mitigate the impact of the crisis. Meanwhile, the productive sector is closely following the inspections in China and the fate of the containers that have yet to be reviewed by the authorities in the Asian country.
