Perhaps taking a cue from Georgia’s sweet onion industry, which has extended its season by growing in South America, a U.S.-based produce company has begun moving fresh blueberries from Chile through the Port of Savannah to better serve Southeastern markets.
Giumarra International Berry, headquartered in California, brought its first shipment of South American-grown blueberries through Savannah earlier this week.
“We’re excited to enter this new partnership, which highlights the Georgia Ports Authority’s commitment to the refrigerated cargo market,” said GPA executive director Curtis Foltz.
“Because of our direct interstate access, as well as having two Class I rail services on our facility, we can serve the Atlanta and Southeast regions more efficiently by importing this fresh produce directly through the Port of Savannah.”
Giumarra has been importing berries from the Southern Hemisphere — where the growing season runs opposite ours — since the late 1990s. The company maintains a well-established farm network in Chile, Argentina and other Central and South American countries, allowing them to help meet U.S. demand after domestic farms end production.
“Saving money going north and west is the reason we are here,” said Alan Abe, East Coast general manager for Giumarra.
“The Port of Savannah has a streamlined flow that is very fast and efficient, and it’s only five minutes from I-95,” he said. “Also, the Georgia Ports Authority gives us a high level of customer service.”
Shipments of conventional and organic blueberries will arrive in Savannah through late March or early April. Giumarra officials are expecting a larger crop than last season, with some experts predicting an increase of 15 percent.
Giumarra operates a packing plant in Alma, which gives it the ability to pack bulk produce into container sizes based on customer need in real time.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming Chilean blueberry season and we will have a complete Nature’s Partner program of blueberries from the Southern Hemisphere,” said Tom Richardson, Guimarra’s vice president for global development.
“Our sourcing team works continuously to ensure we have adequate supply, and our volumes will exceed last year’s.”
U.S. blueberry imports are increasing at a rapid pace from Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere and are considered one of the hottest categories in fresh produce, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Chilean blueberry imports have more than doubled, increasing by $128 million in the past four years.
Slicing through rough seas
The latest ship model, provided on long-term loan to the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center, is the Dona Angela Maria T, built in the Netherlands by Damen Shipyards. This Fast Crew Supplier is designed to provide transport of a big load at high speeds and over long distances while still providing comfort for its passengers.
With four Caterpillar engines and a unique Sea Axe bow design, the ship can slice through the roughest waves, a concept not lost on seagoing organizations such as our Coast Guard.
A brainchild of Savannahian Howard Morrison, the collection of authentically detailed models of ships from the 20th century and beyond now numbers six, with more to come.
Strike update
A diverse coalition of more than 120 local, state and national stakeholders, ranging from farmers and manufacturers to retailers and wholesalers, sent a letter Thursday to the International Longshoremen’s Association and United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. urging both sides to remain at the negotiating table until they “reach a new long-term contract.”
On Dec. 28, the day before a planned coastwide port strike, the two groups agreed to extend their contract negotiations until Feb. 6 and are scheduled to meet again next week to continue negotiations on the coastwide contract.
Meanwhile, the Journal of Commerce reported Thursday that ILA officials walked away from scheduled negotiations on a local contract for dockworkers at the Port of New York/New Jersey after objecting to employers’ proposed changes.
It’s not known how that will affect next weeks’ negotiations.
In the letter, the coalition stressed the need for the two sides to reach a long-term contract agreement without causing disruptions to the nation’s supply chain.
Senior business reporter Mary Carr Mayle covers the ports for the Savannah Morning News. She can be reached at 912-652-0324 or at mary.mayle@savannahnow.com.