Fresh Del Monte, one of the world’s leading and pre-eminent vertically integrated producers, distributors and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, has ordered 2,200 Daikin ZeSTIA units, of which 10 are fitted with Daikin’s CA (controlled atmosphere) technology.
This is the first order from Fresh Del Monte, whose product range includes prepared fruit and vegetables, juices, beverages, snacks and desserts that are sold in more than 90 countries around the world. With its headquarters in Florida, USA, the company has an established global footprint and operates in more than 19 countries worldwide.
Daikin Reefer is a leading supplier of refrigeration and climate control solutions for freight containers. Headquartered in Japan, Daikin Reefer is a business unit of the refrigeration division of global refrigeration, air conditioning and climate control provider Daikin Industries, Ltd.
A further 500 of the ZeSTIA units will be used during the 2022/2023 Chilean fruit season on the Chile -USA trade, carrying the primary cargo of grapes with apples, peaches, plums and blueberries also set for transportation. Chilean grape exports are set to increase in the 2021-2022 season. Chile exported 2.62 million tons of fresh fruit in 2021 with a market value of USD5.052bn, and the US imported 47% of its total grape production. The country is now well-established as a key player in fresh produce production and export.
In 2021, the total value of US fruit and vegetable imports rose to a record level and is predicted to rise to a value of USD42.6bn in 2022 and this is therefore a vitally important market for all Latin American fresh produce.