PortMiami Moves Toward More Efficient Trade With Peru

During last month’s Peru Investors Forum in Miami, PortMiami met with representatives from Peru to discuss options for increased trade between the South American country and the Port.  Over the past several years, PortMiami, and officials from Peru along with importers, growers and customs brokers have been working toward increasing the imports of Peruvian fruits to the United States, via PortMiami.

In the past, certain Peruvian products could only enter the U.S. via certain northeastern ports; however on October 1st a new pilot program will go into effect allowing cold treatment products to be imported directly to PortMiami. Thanks to the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Florida Perishables Coalition, grapes and blueberries will travel directly from Peru to PortMiami. The produce will be cold treated prior to its departure from Peru and will arrive ready for immediate distribution and sale.

Cold treatment is a process performed on fruits and vegetables that entails sustained refrigeration (cold treatment) sufficient to kill pests associated with imported fruits and vegetables.

“It is great to see that the combined efforts of the U.S. and Peruvian governments have paid off,” says Bill Johnson, Director of PortMiami.  “Thanks to the efficient processing of cargo at PortMiami, this produce will be able to reach 70% of the U.S. population in four days or less.  This opens up opportunities for both our countries and we look forward to increasing bi-lateral trade.”

The new program and the exchange between Peru and PortMiami is a positive step for Peruvian growers and exporters, saving them time and money.  The American side of the equation wins as well, benefitting from the faster, fresher arrival of goods.