Delaware Gov. Jack Markell welcomed Chilean Ambassador Felipe Bulnes and several Chilean entrepreneurs to the Port of Wilmington on Monday for the third annual Chilean fruit shipment to the state. The first shipment of Chilean winter fruit arrived to the U.S. onboard Pacific Seaways's (PSW) chartered refrigerated breakbulk vessel m/v Polarstream, a statement released by the governor's office stated.
"We are excited and honored that Delware's seaport is the doorway through which Chilean fruit enters into North American homes this holiday season," Markell said in the statement. He added, "Our robust bilateral trade and long and strong friendship with Chile create many good jobs and stimulates the economies on both sides of the equator and we are working to continue growing it into the future."
According to the press release, Delaware's Port of Wilmington oversaw 15.9 million cases of Chilean fruit estimated to value $600 million during the 2011-2012 season. On Monday, Markell tweeted that the shipment of Chilean fruits to Delaware supports 750 jobs at the port alone. "The Port of #WilmDE produces jobs, revenue & fresh fruit that would otherwise be unavailable this time of yr. True win-win for Delawareans," Markell tweeted.
The press release added that the fruit trade between Chile and Delaware "generates $40 million in personal income, $42 million in business revenue and $4 million in tax revenue for the State and the region."
Chilean Ambassador Felipe Bulnes attended the event with fellow Chileans Ronald Bown, President of Exporters Association (ASOEX), and Francisco Labarca, Executive Director of Pacific Seaways. "We are gathered here today to commemorate the strong fruit trade partnership that exists between Chile and the state of Delaware, reflected by the arrival of the first vessel of the 2012/2013 season carrying Chilean fruit at the Port of Wilmington, on of the main gateways in the East Coast for shipments of Chilean fresh fruit," Bulnes said.
He added, "Over the past decades this industry has been one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the Chilean economy and the US is the main destination market for our agricultural products. We look forward to further strengthening the relationship between Chile and the State of Delaware."
Monday's shipment included almost 6,600 pallets of table grapes, blueberries, peaches, cherries, nectarines, apricots and plums, the statement reported.
Chile has had a free trade agreement with the United Sates since 2004 and has also signed agreements with several states. In December 2011, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick for greater collaboration on jobs and the economy. The South American country also has investments in California and is the state's 22nd largest export partner, the California Chamber of Commerce stated.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
