Chile truckers’ strike threatens cherry exports to China

A nationwide truckers’ strike over rising fuel prices is disrupting road freight movements across Chile, threatening cherry exports to China just as the country’s peak fruit-shipping season gets underway.

The protests, which began on November 10, have caused partial road blockades and traffic congestion along key transport corridors, including routes serving the ports of San Antonio and Valparaíso. Chilean fruit exporters have warned that delays in getting refrigerated cargo to the terminals could jeopardize scheduled shipments to Asian markets.

The situation escalated on November 12 after the Federation of Truck Owners of the Fifth Region (Fedequinta), representing approximately 800 trucking businesses, joined the nationwide stoppage. The organization announced an indefinite suspension of activities and mobilizations along Routes 68 and 78, major connections to Valparaíso and San Antonio.

The latest protests follow an earlier truckers’ dispute at San Antonio that ended on November 6 after nine days of disruptions to off-port container depots.

Chile truckers’ strike puts Cherry Express sailings at risk

Chilean fruit exporters’ association Frutas de Chile warned that the blockades are affecting the transportation of fresh produce during one of the industry’s most important shipping periods.

Two Cherry Express vessels were scheduled to depart during the week of November 10, one bound for Nansha and the other for Hong Kong, carrying Chilean cherries to the Chinese market.

The association said uninterrupted road access was essential to getting the fruit aboard the vessels on schedule.

In a statement reported by PortalPortuario, Frutas de Chile acknowledged the financial pressures facing trucking companies as operating and fuel costs rise but expressed serious concern about the timing of the stoppage.

The association warned that delays could compromise fruit quality and overseas sales, given the limited shelf life of fresh produce and the importance of meeting export schedules.

Frutas de Chile also called on the government and transport associations to begin urgent negotiations and restore normal road access.

As of November 10, both San Antonio and Valparaíso were reported to be operating normally, although access routes were experiencing congestion and intermittent restrictions. Exporters’ concerns centered on the ability to move cargo to the ports rather than a confirmed suspension of terminal operations.

Previous blockade forced Cherry Express diversion

The renewed protests come less than a week after a separate trucking dispute disrupted logistics at the Port of San Antonio.

Independent truck drivers had blocked access to off-port container depots for nine days, demanding improved compensation amid rising operating costs.

The disruption forced the first Cherry Express vessel of the 2026–2027 season to shift its planned departure from San Antonio to Valparaíso, according to Chilean media reports.

The stoppage ended on November 6 following an agreement between transport representatives and cargo-related businesses.

However, a broader nationwide protest began on November 10, introducing fresh uncertainty for exporters preparing additional shipments.

The earlier diversion illustrated the immediate consequences that restrictions on container movements can have during the cherry season, when vessel schedules, packing operations and refrigerated transportation must be coordinated within narrow time windows.

Rising fuel costs drive nationwide protests

The latest strike was organized by the Confederación de Transportistas Fuerza del Norte, with support from the No+TAG movement and other transport groups.

According to Reuters, the organizers initially expected approximately 4,000 truckers to participate, although Chile’s two largest trucking associations did not join the action at that stage.

The protesters are demanding government measures to address rising diesel prices, changes to Chile’s fuel-price stabilization mechanism, known as MEPCO, and adjustments to taxes affecting the trucking industry.

The Chilean government initially proposed measures to limit weekly fuel-price increases and support the stabilization mechanism. Negotiations continued without a definitive agreement as of the morning of November 12.

The protests have affected sections of Chile’s main north-south highway and access to several ports, including Iquique.

In the Valparaíso region, the participation of Fedequinta has extended the mobilization to important freight corridors serving both San Antonio and Valparaíso.

Exporters warn of risks to fresh fruit shipments

The timing is particularly sensitive for Chile’s fruit industry, which is beginning to move larger volumes of cherries toward Asian markets.

Unlike less perishable commodities, fresh cherries require carefully coordinated refrigerated transportation, storage and shipping schedules to preserve their commercial quality.

Frutas de Chile warned that prolonged road restrictions could affect producers, exporters and workers throughout the supply chain, as well as Chile’s reputation as a reliable supplier of fresh fruit.

The association emphasized that the industry recognizes the difficulties facing transport operators but opposes road blockades that interfere with agricultural exports.

The immediate concern is whether trucks carrying refrigerated fruit can reach San Antonio and Valparaíso in time for scheduled vessel departures.

While the full impact on cherry exports has yet to be quantified, the renewed stoppage adds uncertainty to a shipping season that has already experienced vessel diversions and disruptions to container movements.

With negotiations continuing and more transport groups joining the strike, exporters are seeking a resolution that will restore road access and allow refrigerated cargo to reach Chile’s main fruit-export gateways without further interruption.

Sources: Reuters and Portal Portuario 

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