Alessandro Piccardo, president and managing director of Vado-based terminal operator Reefer Terminal, has welcomed Agrexco's decision to move its European entry point for fresh produce exports from Marseilles to Vado in the Italian province of Savona.

Speaking to Fruitnet.com, Mr Piccardo said the switch was an 'extremely positive development' for the company, which is owned by leading Italian fresh produce company GF Group.

“This is a very positive development for us,” said Mr Piccardo, 'particularly as it adds a number of new products to the ones we handle already, for example citrus, avcoados, potatoes and herbs.'

Agrexco's export programme to Europe consists of around 200,000 tonnes off fresh agricultural produce including fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers and other plant materials.

The first Agrexco vessel was discharged at Vado on 2 January, with the fourth arriving this week.

Agrexco is understood to be satisfied with the level of service they have so far received at the Italian port and is looking at ways to maximise containerised dry cargo shipped alongside reefer volumes on each of its weekly services.

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