Clients of The Perishable Specialist Inc., headquartered in Miami, have expressed an anticipated increase in berry imports from Argentina and Chile this season.

Ana Ramos, along with her husband and partner, Frank Ramos, are licensed customs brokers and owners of the leading brokerage firm that specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Ana Ramos said that from the company’s standpoint, this does not mean that production in Argentina will be increased.

“But it signifies procurement and/or sourcing of new additional growers to our customer’s programs, and it will result in increased import volumes for us this upcoming season,” she said, adding, “We are excited to see what Peru will offer in terms of volume for blueberries. We handle quite a few importers of berries and many are vested in a berry program in Peru.”

The Perishable Specialist clears berries from Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Peru and Uruguay. The largest berry volume the company handles is from Chile.

“But the first berries to arrive and signify the start of import berry season are from Argentina,” Ramos noted in early September. “We are currently clearing blueberries from Argentina, and this is one of the earliest start times we’ve ever seen from there.

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, which represent 99.9 percent of our day-to-day business,” Ramos explained. “We are more efficient because we are true perishable specialists.

“As in all aspects of life, relationships are key and this industry is no exception,” she went on to say. “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.”

Ramos said that the bulk of the imported berries in past seasons have gone to Miami, Philadelphia and to Western U.S. ports. But because Miami has amazing international air traffic, the company witnesses a huge percentage of air-flown berries arriving at its home port of Miami. But, she noted, The Perishable Specialist offers full brokerage services at all ports in the country.

“We are a remote location filer,” said Ramos. “This allows us to file entry at all ports in the United States. We have an extensive peer-to-peer network, which provides legs at all major ports should the need for physical representation be necessary in cases where we are not present.”

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 Perishable Specialist will celebrate 13 years of business history in January.

“We anticipate ‘lucky 13’ to be a good year for us, and we want to thank all of our customers,” Ramos added. “We wouldn’t be who we are today without their loyalty and support.”