[KacypeJeope]

Philadelphia and Chile have a special tie: About 10 percent of Chile's trade passes through the ports of Tioga in Philadelphia, Gloucester in New Jersey, and Wilmington. Imports include rock salt for melting ice, solar salt for water softening, some fish, some wine - and fruit.

"Sixty-five percent of the Chilean fruit to the United States comes through the ports of the Delaware River," said Robert Palaima, president of Delaware River Stevedores, which manages Tioga Marine Terminal in Port Richmond. He is also president of the Chilean and American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia.

Fresh fruit accounts for 25 percent of ship cargoes coming on the Delaware River. About 50 percent of all fruit arriving here is from Chile, excluding bananas which are a year-round staple from Central America.... Chilean fruit shipments face minor disruptions | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/03/2010