New Perishables Trade Route from Peru to PortMiami
PortMiami is scheduled to receive its first shipment of cold-treated grapes from Peru on December 1, part of a new Cold Treatment Pilot Program that recently went into effect allowing cold treated products to be imported directly from Peru to the Port. Cold treatment is a process performed on fruits and vegetables that entails sustained refrigeration sufficient to kill pests associated with imported fruits and vegetables. In the past, Peruvian products such as table grapes and blueberries could only enter the U.S. via certain northeastern ports; however, under a new pilot program that allows cold treatment products to be imported directly to PortMiami has opened up a new trade route for cold treatment products bound directly for Florida and the southeastern U.S.
USDA Extends Hours at PortMiami
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new extended hours of operations at PortMiami. The new hours are scheduled to begin on June 16, Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and beginning in January on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a change from the current hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday only, which at times have proven to slow the transport and delivery of goods arriving at PortMiami. The USDA realizes the importance of Miami as a perishables hub for the United States and the need for expansion as perishable volumes increase. “As the Perishables Gateway to the Americas, PortMiami needs to ensure the quick and efficient flow of time sensitive goods”, said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson.
