Press Release -  12.22.2000

First Chilean Grapes Arrive in a Wintry Wilmington

The Port of Wilmington welcomed Delaware’s first snowy day with the season’s first shipment of Chilean winter fruit.  The M/V Hope Bay arrived at Wilmington, the nation’s number one port for imports of fruits and produce, on Wednesday, December 20th.  This vessel will be followed by weekly shipments of Chilean grapes and other deciduous fruits through the end of April.
Wilmington is the preferred port-of-call for some of Chile’s largest fruit carriers and shipping groups, including the Pacific Seaways Group and Dole Fresh Fruit Co.  During the 2000 season, over 40 vessels arrived in Wilmington carrying over 190,000 tons of Chilean winter fruit.  This winter season, Wilmington expects the arrival of over 200,000 tons of Chilean fruit and vegetables from the Ports of Valparaiso, Coquimbo and Caldera.
During the two-day discharge, the M/V Hope Bay will unload 3,400 tons of Chilean table grapes, plums, nectarines, apricots, peaches and pears, as well as containers of Chilean sweet onions.  The fruit and produce will be distributed to supermarkets and retail outlets throughout the United States and Eastern Canada.

The Port of Wilmington is the leading U.S. port for imports of fresh fruit and produce from around the world.  In addition to Chilean winter fruit, the Port receives over one million tons per year of bananas and tropical fruits from Central and South America, imported by Dole and Chiquita, the nation’s two largest banana suppliers.  Other fruit imports shipped through Wilmington include New Zealand apples, pears and kiwifruit; Moroccan Clementines; and Australian navel oranges.

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16 million in annual tax revenues to State and local government.  The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware.  For further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @ (302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us