Global Talsa and Garcés Fruit sent two consignments to Chinese market last week
Chile has kicked off its 2025/26 cherry campaign with two air shipments to China. Last week, Global Talsa sent a consignment of 1.4 tonnes via Seafrigo Lancargo to Shanghai; hours later, Garcés Fruit completed a second shipment with fruit harvested in the Coquimbo Region and processed at its Mostazal plant, also destined for China.
“The move confirms that the market values early delivery and that logistics are fine-tuned to capitalise on the price premium of the first few weeks,” Frutas de Chile said.
Garcés Fruit noted that security control at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport, from which the fruit departed, flowed more smoothly than in previous seasons. This was due to it having been certified as a recognised shipper by the Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) in December 2024. For exporters, this status helps preserve the cold chain and maintain condition and firmness upon arrival.
The early arrivals were possible thanks to innovations like the new variety AG2 and improved post-harvest execution, which are bringing forward the start of the season further north in Chile, opening commercial windows for producers who can achieve consistency in size and colour.
“For those planning flights, the rule of thumb remains the same: processing speed, cold chain integrity, and commercial agreements that allow immediate rotation at destination,” Frutas de Chile said.
In terms of sea shipments, CMA CGM confirmed that the seasonal Cherry Express 2025 service will kick off in late November with eight sailings from the Port of San Antonio and an estimated 23-day transit to Shanghai.
The first vessel, Legacy, will inaugurate the rotation on 28 November, followed by weekly departures designed to absorb the December peak. For producers and exporters, this means synchronizing cuts and packing windows with the ETDs and securing contracted space with shipping lines and forwarders.
