THE Hong Kong Seaport Alliance's (HKSPA) has announced that it has achieved a 54 per cent growth in the 2020/21 Chilean cherry season, a record high volume of the fruit handled in Hong Kong for the mainland market.

HKSPA is a port operators association of the Hongkong International Terminals, Modern Terminals, Cosco-HIT and Asia Container Terminals established in 2019.

"Once again the Port of Hong Kong proved to be the most diligent, reliable and efficient port, even under high stress situations like the one we just faced with the cherries," said Luis Chadwick, Agricola San Clemente vice president, one of the biggest Chlean fruit exporters.

According to statistics, mainland Chinese consume over 70 per cent of cherries in the world and among which 90 per cent are from Chile.

Said HKSPA: "China itself is a big grower and exporter of fruits. However, with the increasing purchasing power of mainland Chinese, the demand for imported fruit has seen a tremendous growth. Imports still only account for 2.5 per cent of China's total per capita fresh fruit consumption and the growth potential is huge.

"Chile is the largest supplier of fruits imported by China accounting for almost one-fourth of the market. Besides cherries, citrus, table grapes, kiwis and apples from Chile are of increasing popularity among Chinese consumers," said the HKSPA statement.

"The highest number of reefer points in South China - 7,800 which is twice the capacity of other terminals in the region, the hot box arrangements allowing consignees to collect shipment in just 15 minutes after discharge, as well as simple, convenient and fast customs procedures, the comprehensive road and barge networks all contribute to make Hong Kong the port of choice for fruit shipments," it said.

HKSPA will continue to enhance its efficiency and collaborate with shipping line customers as well as fruit exporters and importers to capture the growing fresh fruit market in Mainland China through the Hong Kong gateway.