Heathrow, UK: PML Seafrigo’s scheduled chilled less than container load service to the States has enabled British craft cheese producers to enjoy a slice of the US market, with America showing a hunger for premium, artisan, hand-crafted, cheeses this Christmas.
PML Seafrigo’s service to New York, proves 11 day shipping to the US , with specialist cheeses proving particularly popular with America’s retailers. PML Seafrigo is running the less than container load service monthly. In addition it provides a full container load with one of the top five multiples shipping a container of cheese every week via this route.
PML Seafrigo’s less than container load service is suitable for single pallets or sample cases and includes pickup, consolidation and storage in the UK and deconsolidation, storage and delivery in the US. Throughout the entire freight transfer journey, PML Seafrigo is in full control of the cargo, from the time of collection through to arrival at the US destination, providing producers with complete peace of mind and full traceability of the consignment.
Ian Shuttlewood, director of ocean and road, Seafrigo, says, “We’re delighted with the uptake amongst specialist food producers who have been quick to recognise the benefits of this highly cost-effective freight solution to the US (customers only pay for the space they use in the container).
“Cheese has definitely proved our most popular export during the festive period but looking ahead, we anticipate significant interest from premium chocolate producers keen to capitalise on the major windows of opportunity represented by Valentine’s Day and Easter, as retailers seek out new gifting solutions from the UK.
“We have the capability to create a dedicated chocolate chamber within the container to cater for the specific temperature requirements of chocolate, whilst our warehousing facilities in the UK and US offer a similar facility to ensure the seamless, efficient transfer of this highly temperature sensitive cargo, providing producers with the confidence that their fine chocolate goods will arrive at the final destination in optimum condition.”
British chocolate exports to the EU have been significantly reduced after Brexit, while exports to non-EU countries like China, the USA and Australia have increased, according to CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Marry this statement with the fact that US imports of chocolate exceed those of the next largest importer by over a billion US dollars (Statista August 2023) and it clear to see the sales potential for UK chocolatiers,” PML Seafrigo says.
