PML Seafrigo’s scheduled chilled LCL (Less than Container Load) service to the United States (US) has enabled British craft cheese producers to enjoy a slice of the US market, with America showing a hunger for access to premium, artisan (often hand-crafted) cheeses this Christmas.
The global logistics and supply chain specialist’s LCL service to New York, enables the successful transfer of the best of British artisan foods to the States in just 11 days, with specialist cheeses proving particularly popular with America’s retailers.
PML Seafrigo is currently running the LCL offering on a monthly basis with the last pre-Christmas consignment already having left the UK. In addition to LCL, PML Seafrigo provides a FCL (Full Container Load) route, with one of the top five multiples shipping a container of cheese every week via this route.
Commenting on the success of the London to New York line, PML Seafrigo’s Director of Ocean and Road, Ian Shuttlewood 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).”
Shuttlewood continues: “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.”
According to research by CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overall, 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. Marry this statement with the fact that US imports of chocolate exceed those of the next largest importer by over a billion U.S. dollars (Statista August 2023) and it clear to see the sales potential for UK chocolatiers.
Artisan producers looking to export to the US can find out more about the LCL service by contacting PML Seafrigo direct, email: i.shuttlewood@seafrigo.com
