Everglades welcomes first shipment of imported Peruvian grapes

Previously, fruit was required to be imported through colder, northern ports such as Philadelphia and then trucked to market, due to concerns over fruit flies and other pests that could threaten local crops and vegetation.

“Port Everglades is the first US port of call for our South American West Coast/US service and we are looking forward to serving the South Florida fresh produce import community,” said Juergen Pump, Senior Vice President, Hamburg Süd North America.

The Florida Perishables Trade Coalition (FPTC), a business coalition of international trade, transportation and port leaders, partnered with numerous agencies, including the US Customs and Border Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), to develop the pilot programme.