How does food get from Chile to the USA?

Question

I'm trying to find out how food is transported from South America to my grocery store. Is it shipped? Flown? I assume once it reaches a port in the US it is trucked. Any information or links would be helpful.

Answer 1

Almost all food, if not all, is shipped via container vessel.  These ships are getting huge some reaching up to 10,000 containers.  

When the containers are loaded with produce sometimes the containers are filled with gases to prohibit or slow the aging process because it can take a while to get from orchard to store.   Also, there are refrigerated containers, which can be used too but are costly and require a electrical source.

Then when these containers (CTU) arrived at port they are directly loaded onto vehicles or trains and transported to various industries.  There are a few other logistical issues such as; inspections, and shipping procedures but this is the gist.

Go to the following websites or search google; IMDG Code, UNTDG or the USCG.mil for some guidance and answers.

Answer 2

Most products produced or grown internationally are shipped by ocean freighter.  Once they get to the US they are put onto trucks and trains and distributed.