• The operation will run through mid-December, connecting Chilean producers with Asian markets and ensuring the fruit arrives fresh and on time.

October 21, 2025 — Around two tons of cherries departed from Santiago, Chile, with a stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, before arriving in China on Friday, October 17. With this milestone, LATAM Cargo Group took part in the first shipment of the 2025–2026 period, officially marking the start of the distribution of this fruit to its main market.

At the beginning of the season, air transport plays a crucial role, moving early varieties that require speed to reach their destination fresh and meet the demand generated by the Chinese New Year. During this stage, LATAM Cargo Group fine-tunes its operations to respond to the increase in shipments and ensure the fruit’s quality upon arrival.

“We are proud to be part of this key moment, connecting local producers with the Asian market, one of the most demanding in the world. Our commitment is to continue supporting our customers with every shipment, ensuring that cherries arrive fresh and on time. This is just the beginning of a season full of challenges and great opportunities alongside our clients,” said Claudio Torres Faini, Commercial Director for South America at LATAM Cargo Group.

According to iQonsulting’s 2024 International Cherry Market Yearbook, Chile accounts for 97% of the southern hemisphere’s cherry exports, and about 90% of its production is destined for China. In 2024, LATAM consolidated its position as the leading air carrier of cherries from Chile, and for the 2025 season, it projects transporting over 6,000 tons—a growth of nearly 10% compared to the previous year.

These shipments are supported by the largest cargo network in South America, with 165 destinations across 31 countries—12 of them exclusively for cargo—enabling efficient and reliable access to key perishable markets worldwide.

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ABOUT LATAM GROUP 

LATAM and its affiliates make up the leading airline group in Latin America, with a presence in five domestic markets across the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, in addition to international operations within Latin America and to Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean. 

The group operates a fleet that includes Boeing 767, 777, and 787 aircraft, as well as Airbus A321, A321neo, A320, A320neo, and A319 models. LATAM Cargo Group, LATAM Cargo Colombia, and LATAM Cargo Brazil are the cargo subsidiaries of the LATAM Group. In addition to having access to the cargo holds of the passenger aircraft operated by the group’s affiliates, they maintain a combined fleet of 20 freighter aircraft. 

These cargo subsidiaries operate within the LATAM Group network and on dedicated international cargo routes. They also offer modern infrastructure and a wide range of services and solutions designed to meet their customers’ needs. 

www.latam.com