Cherry 2025/26: record export year requires logistics with no margin for error

The Chilean fruit industry is preparing for a record cherry export season. With more than 80,000 hectares in production and an estimated 730,000 metric tons of production, the 2025/26 cycle promises toThe 2025/26 cycle promises to consolidate Chile as a world leader in the sector. China remains the main destination, with more than 90% of the volume.

The logistic window extends from week 40 to week 52with a peak of activity in week 48and an operational drag in the first 8 weeks of 2026 due to the export of blueberries. At the time of publication of this note, we are in week 41. week 41week 41, with the first shipments underway and the international market on high alert.

This accelerated growth also means increased pressure on the logistics chain: availability of refrigerated containers, port congestion, coordination of shipments and meeting critical deadlines. Any failure can translate into millions of dollars in losses.

The exponential increase of fruit cargo in such a short period of time generates an unusual stress on each logistics link. These are some of the scenarios faced by exporting companies:

• Port saturation: waiting shipments or forced rerouting due to lack of space. Result: delays, loss of freshness, contractual penalties.
• Shortage of refrigerated containers: availability constraints forcing shipment under less than ideal conditions. Result: decomposition, thermal shocks, rejection at destination.
• High personnel turnover and long shifts: increased possibility of errors in handling. Result: shocks, breakage, condensation.
• Itineraries rescheduled or suspended: last minute route changes. Result: cost overruns, increased traffic, expiration of delivery windows.
• Lack of visibility in the chain: absence of active monitoring or alerts. Result: loss of reaction to deviations or claims.

Taken together, these factors can compromise cargo integrity, affect a company's reputation and generate significant economic losses if adequate coverage and logistics support are not in place.

On December 27, 2024, the vessel Maersk Saltoro sailed from the port of San Antonio, Mexico. the vessel Maersk Saltoro, part of the Cherry Express service, carrying more than 1,350 containers of cherries, blueberries and other fresh fruit destined for China to supply the Chinese New Year market. On January 13, 2025, the vessel suffered a mechanical failure on the high seas - within Micronesia's exclusive economic zone - and was adrift for several weeks. When it finally arrived in Nansha, China, it was 52 days late.

Despite having maintained the cold chain, the Chinese customs authorities determined that the fruit was not suitable for marketing and ordered its destruction. The incident affected more than 95 Chilean exporters, including Lo Garces, Copefrut, Dole and Geofrut, with losses estimated at US$120 million.

At the same time, the shipping company filed a request with the Civil Court of Valparaíso to limit its legal liability to a fund of US$ 16.4 million, which generated controversy among those affected. Associations such as SNA and Fedefruta questioned the transparency of the ship's maintenance protocols and the lack of timely response from the shipping company.

The case is ongoing and demonstrates the critical importance of having adequate insurance for perishable cargo, including delay, total loss and spoilage clauses. Those exporters who did not have comprehensive coverage faced total losses and a lengthy litigation process. This situation also revealed the fragility of the market concentration model, the need to diversify destinations and, above all, the urgency of planning logistics with real support.

In this challenging context, Hanseatica is positioned as a strategic partner for exporters, logistics operators and producers seeking to protect their operation from end to end. Our proposal is not limited to a policy: it is a comprehensive insurance solution designed to anticipate unforeseen events and support every leg of the journey.

At Hanseatica, we designed our Cargo Transport Insurance every vulnerable point of the export operation.

Because we understand that "having insurance" is not enough: what makes the difference is having a coverage built from the knowledge of the fruit business, the international logistic requirements and the real risks that may affect your cargo in each part of the journey. These are some of the protections included in our proposal:

• All Risk Coverageapplies to all sections (land, sea, air and multimodal), with integral protection from packing house to final destination.
• Vehicle accident: collision, overturning, derailment and/or derailment of the transporting vehicle, fire, explosion, landslide, falling trees or poles, etc.; as well as severe weather events (lightning, hurricane, cyclone, tornado, flood, alluvium or avalanche).
• Gross Casualty: loss or damage sustained during a sea transport.
• Sinking or capsizing of a ship or vessel, grounding, grounding, grounding, capsizing or wave-sweeping.grounding, grounding, grounding, grounding or being swept away by waves.
• Theft
• Theft
• Damage during loading and unloading
• Stock Throughputoptional to also ensure local storage and distribution stages.
• Failure to deliver the entire package
• Disappearance of merchandise
• Refrigeration equipment shutdown
• Vandalism or malicious acts
• Inland carrier exemption
• In addition, our customers have permanent legal and technical assistance in case of incidents.

In summary, the upcoming Cherry 2025/26 season represents a historic opportunity for Chilean exporters, but also a scenario of high operational risk. Having a specialized policy, adapted to seasonality and backed by a first class logistics strategy can make the difference between success and loss.

¿Want to quote your customized Cherry 2025/26 coverage? Schedule a meeting with our specialists and find out how Hanseatica can strengthen your export logistics with tailor-made solutions.. Contact us!