Dive Brief:
- The multiyear agreement ensures the Delaware port will maintain its preeminent role in fruit imports.
- Some 35,000 metric tons of Moroccan clementines are expected to pas through Wilmington's produce facilities under the agreement, making the port the largest importer of clementines on the East Coast.
- Between 10 and 15 ships are expected to carry the fruit into the harbor from October through March each year, requiring the addition of about 20 jobs at the port.
Dive Insight:
If you weren't paying attention -- and there's no reason why you would, actually -- you wouldn't have realized that Wilmington, Del., has become the center of fruit imports in the U.S. The port has the largest dockside refrigerated facilities in all of North America. And that has attracted fruit importers by the score. Wilmington is now the largest banana port in the U.S. and the second-largest banana port on earth. In fact, the port handles more imports of fresh fruit and juice concentrate than any rival in North America.