Frank A. Ramos is co-owner with his wife, Ana, of Miami-based The Perishable Specialist Inc., a licensed customs brokerage company. It is a leading brokerage firm specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

“Our clients are reporting increases for the upcoming season,” said Ramos. “There is excitement from the Peruvians regarding their blueberry program. And organic blueberries from Argentina are making a big buzz among our clients.”

He noted that the company is anticipating that Chilean blueberries from regions VI, VII and VIII will need fumigation as a condition of entry into the United States due to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations and the moth interceptions from last season.

“All our clients that import from these regions have been in preparation to comply,” noted Ramos.

He added that blueberries from Guatemala continue to enjoy gradual but consistent increases in volumes as they have over the past four years.

Besides Guatemala, the company’s largest berry producing countries are Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

“Depending on the category, blackberries are dominated by Guatemala, while blueberries and raspberries are dominated by Chile,” Ramos explained. “Argentina and Uruguay blueberries begin the race by a head. All indications are that this will be another great season for us, and we look forward to that euphoric feeling at the sight of the first blueberry air waybill indicating the start of the season.”

The Perishable Specialist is completely dedicated to fruits and vegetables, which Ramos said serves the importer best because every ounce of effort is concentrated within the produce industry.

“We are the epitome of streamlined process, and solely dedicated to fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce represents 99.9 percent of our day-to-day business. As a result we are more efficient.

“As in all aspects of life, relationships are key, and this industry is no exception,” he continued. “The Perishable Specialist’s staff has the ability to effectively communicate and engage the different government agencies that oversee the importation of fruits and vegetables into the U.S.”

The Perishable Specialist’s sound relationships extend to the most efficient carriers for both land and ocean, as well as some modern and efficient cold-storage facilities.

“We are able to coordinate on behalf of our importers and be a bridge for them and their logistical needs,” said Ramos.

The company is also totally dedicated to staying abreast of every change in an existing or a new regulation related to the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Ramos said he advises people wanting to import a perishable item for the first time to contact a customs broker.

“Ask for as much information as possible,” he said. “I always explain to new importers of what the most basic permits we will request, which is a good starting point in setting them on an educational path. Prior to sending that item on a plane or shipping your first container, it is imperative that all permits are filed, registrations submitted and that admissibility is confirmed.”

The Perishable Specialist also coordinates the fumigation of commodities on a daily basis. This is called for when there are items that require fumigation as a condition of entry into the U.S. or because an actionable pest has been intercepted.

“We are involved in fumigation procedures for commodities arriving into East and West Coast ports by air and ocean container,” said Ramos.

Because The Perishable Specialist’s personnel is dedicated to the produce industry, its process is geared toward getting customers’ ocean containers or air arrivals of fresh fruit and vegetables cleared and to their warehouses.

“And we do it in lickety-split timing,” said Ramos. “Customers can then concentrate on what they do best: sell fresh produce.”