The main players in the export and import sectors are working in a coordinated manner to urgently identify effective solutions to the logistics problems that have driven up food prices around the world and have seriously affected Chile and its partners. global trade.
Meetings have taken place between the Ministries of Transport and Economy and the main players in the supply chain, including the CNC, the Food Export Council, Conadecus, ASOEX, Fedefruta and port logistics operators, work with transporters, drivers and port workers. from Valparaíso and San Antonio.
Chilean Minister of Economy Nicolás Grau said: “We are working to relaunch the Collaborative Logistics Plan for Foreign Trade (PLC), which involves public-private collaboration and the participation of several actors along the chain. logistics.
ASOEX President Ronald Bown said, “The loss of fruit and the uncertainty generated by the inability to get the fruit to international customers on time…affects Chile’s image as the world’s leading supplier… [and] seriously jeopardizes Chile’s position as the main producer-exporter of fresh fruit in the southern hemisphere and fifth in the world.
Although his type of coordination between the public and private sectors is unprecedented in Chile, he added: “We have all the right partners sitting at the table to solve the main problems, and we are convinced that in the next season, we will return to pre-pandemic service levels.
It was recognized that while logistical problems have further worsened due to the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine, the national solution to the problem is to take short and medium-term measures to improve the efficiency of Chilean ports, solving labor shortages, and mitigating rising shipping rates, among other issues.
Claudio Cilveti, President of the Food Export Council, underlined: “a robust management model must be put in place to meet commitments with destination countries, stimulate foreign trade, promote production and increase the supply of products, favoring thus the growth of the country’s employment. and the economy at a time when it is most needed.
The president of Conadecus, Hernán Calderón, expressed concern about the impact of this crisis on consumers: “the serious logistics crisis, which affects the whole country, puts the prices of foodstuffs and essential goods at risk, affecting the entire population in an inflationary context that is alarming and where urgent solutions are needed to protect those who need it most.
CNC Chairman Ricardo Mewes pointed out that “increasing fuel costs, together with changes to routes and haulage capacity, are putting increased pressure on freight rates, which has had an impact on the cost of imports In the commercial sector, where most products are imported, it is the final consumer, i.e. people and their families who are already under the pressure of inflation, who are affected .
One of the measures envisaged is the authorization of the port of Ventanas to receive cargoes. Other measures include: prioritizing food and strategic supplies in port operations, making chambermasters available at Valparaíso and Coquimbo terminals and at ports in the Eighth Region, and modifying wave height restrictions in the port of San Antonio, which would facilitate the arrival and departure of more ships.
