Asparagus

Delays averaged about a day: loading in Peru, going through the

Panama Canal or discharge in Florida, he said. At the same time,

Refrigerated containers have been in short supply around the world, perhaps because

many are sitting on ships waiting to be unloaded, Wood said.

The process of moving fresh asparagus from Peru to the United States is

increasingly expensive and challenging, and shipping vegetables from

importers’ warehouses to customers’ distribution centers in the United States are not

a piece of cake, either

«There are higher logistics costs for sea freight, air freight and

domestic freight,» said Tracy Wood, vice president of sales for Vero

Seven Seas Florida, based on the beach. The cost of Peruvian transport

Asparagus on cargo ships has increased from 15% to 25%: $1,000 to

$1,500 over the past year, he said.

Importing Peruvian asparagus by air has become a challenge for Altar Produce LLC, based in Calexico, California, said President Chris Ramirez. In the past, the company flew 70% of its product and the remaining 30% arrived by ship. Now, thanks to logistical issues spurred by COVID-19 and pricing pressures brought on by competition from Mexican produce, 80% of the company’s Peruvian asparagus is brought to the United States by cargo ship, he said.