The Port of Wilmington in North Carolina is enhancing its role in perishable imports and exports, focusing on fresh produce and temperature-sensitive goods. Over the past decade, Wilmington has advanced its cold chain capabilities, targeting perishable cargo for both domestic and global trade.
Previously, the port's refrigerated cargo was predominantly exports, with a ratio of one import for every nine exports. The current ratio is one to four, marking a 235% increase in refrigerated cargo since 2016. This shift has been supported by infrastructure upgrades and over $250 million in investments in cold storage near the port.
Hans Bean, Chief Commercial Officer for the North Carolina State Ports Authority, noted that North Carolina's agricultural output and grocery retail presence have long provided opportunities for Wilmington. Historically, fresh produce for in-state retailers was transported from distant ports like Philadelphia or South Florida. The current aim is to offer a closer gateway for imports and expand export options for growers.
To meet the demand for year-round fresh produce, Wilmington now offers nearly 1.5 million square feet of refrigerated warehousing, including facilities from Cold Summit Development and RL Cold. The port has increased its reefer plug capacity from 230 to 1,500, with plans to expand further.
Bean highlighted Wilmington's role in filling a "mid-Atlantic gap" in the U.S. cold chain, offering logistical advantages for East Coast and central U.S. markets. The location provides benefits in time, distance, and cost for shipping fresh produce.
A notable development is the APHIS-certified cold treatment facility by American Blueberries LLC, located 18 miles from the port, crucial for imported fruit requiring phytosanitary treatment. The facility has opened new trade lanes from Chile and Peru.
Wilmington's cold chain infrastructure will be featured at the Cold Chain Summit: Advancing Cold Solutions on April 24 at the Hotel Ballast in Wilmington. The previous summit attracted over 300 participants, with expectations of a larger turnout this year.
The port's focus has drawn investment from food industry companies like Acme Smoked Fish and Cardinal Foods. Wilmington's investments aim to complement existing networks, offering additional capacity for the growing cold cargo segment. "The goal isn't to take business from other ports," Bean said. "It's about expanding capacity to support the growing demand for cold and perishable logistics. Wilmington is well-positioned to be part of that solution."
Source: AJOT