MSC vessel Lome V has carried around 8,000 tonnes of cherries from the Port of San Antonio in Chile
The first Cherry Express service of 2025/26 arrived at the Port of Nansha in Guangzhou on 5 December, marking the beginning of the peak cherry season in China. The MSC Lome V was carrying 370 refrigerated containers, equivalent to around 8,000 tonnes of fresh cherries, from the Port of San Antonio, Chile.
Following customs inspection, the fruit was transported via cold chain to wholesale markets and cold storage facilities throughout the country.
According to Iván Marambio, president of Frutas de Chile, the number of direct Cherry Express services to China has nearly doubled compared to last year. The service allows exporters to reach the Chinese market in just 23 days, improving the quality and freshness of the fruit.
The Port of Nansha operates a single-building cold storage facility adjacent to China’s largest port, allowing the unloading, inspection, storage, and distribution of cherries to be carried out entirely within a cold chain environment.
Port staff have prepared a detailed operational plan specifically for Cherry Express arrivals. This includes advance planning for access control and trailer dispatch, the establishment of two dedicated lanes for cherries, optimisation of traffic flow within and outside the port area, and rehearsal of each step in advance.
“With these efficient procedures, the cherries can go from unloading to arrival at local wholesale markets in as little as two hours,” Frutas de Chile said.
Representatives from Frutas de Chile visited Jiangnonghui Market on 6 December to observe the distribution process firsthand and meet with market and sales management.
Zheng Nanshen, general manager of Guangzhou Jiangnonghui Market Service Management Co., Ltd., explained: “After harvesting, the Chilean cherries are rapidly chilled. Following washing, sorting, inspection, and packaging, they are transported to China via an uninterrupted cold chain.
“The cherries are then distributed by refrigerated trucks to cold storage facilities at markets across the country and finally placed in refrigerated display cases at retailers. Maintaining constant temperature control throughout the entire process is key to preserving the cherries’ freshness. Therefore, consumers should refrigerate them as soon as they bring them home to ensure optimal preservation”.
To support traders in their goal of offering premium fruit to consumers, Frutas de Chile has once again launched its series of practical guide videos for traders and retailers, based on its Guide to Best Practices for Chilean Cherries.
The videos cover cherry harvesting, packing, transportation, and cold chain management, as well as offering professional recommendations for storage, retail operations, and cherry promotion.
