Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) — which is formed by Hongkong International Terminals, Modern Terminals, COSCO-HIT Terminals, and Asia Container Terminals, said it continued to capture the strong growth in the cold chain market recording over 50% growth for example in the volume of cherries it handled from South America.
In a statement, the terminal operators said it achieved a 54% growth in the 2020/2021 Chilean cherry season, a record high volume of the fruit handled in Hong Kong for the mainland China market from Chilean exporters and South China importers of cherries from Valparaiso and San Antonio.
“Once again the Port of Hong Kong proved to be the most diligent, reliable and efficient port, even under high-stress situations like the one we just faced with the cherries. We look forward to continued collaboration with the port,” said Luis Chadwick V., President of Agrícola San Clemente, one of the largest growers and exporters of fruits in Chile.
According to statistics, mainland Chinese consumers account for over 70% of cherries in the world market and 90% are from Chile.
Expanding fresh fruit operations
An HKSPA spokesperson said the increasing purchasing power of mainland Chinese, [led to] the demand for imported fruits has seen tremendous growth, although imports only account for 2.5% of China’s total per capita fresh fruit consumption and the growth potential is huge.
The statement noted that Chile is the largest supplier of fruits imported by China accounting for almost one-fourth of the market. Besides cherries, citrus, table grapes, kiwis and apples from Chile are of increasing popularity among Chinese consumers.
“The highest number of reefer points in South China – 7,800 which is twice the capacity of other terminals in the region, the hotbox arrangements allowing consignees to collect shipment in just 15 minutes after discharge, as well as simple, convenient and fast customs procedures, the comprehensive road and barge networks all contribute to making Hong Kong the port of choice for fruit shipments,” it added.
Moving forward, HKSPA said it will continue to enhance its efficiency and collaborate with shipping line customers as well as fruit exporters and importers to capture the growing fresh fruit market in mainland China through the Hong Kong gateway.
