News / Importers claim Del Monte boxes given priority, while their fruit rotted

Fresh fruit importers have filed a claim with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for $2m damages against a Fresh Del Monte-owned shipping operator.

The six complainants (Coast Citrus Distributors, Amazon Produce Network, Refin Tropicals, JW Fresh, Sembrios and Bresson) allege Network Shipping’s (NWS) preferential treatment of Del Monte during 2021-2022’s mango season led to spoilage in 108 of their own containers.

The complaint reads: “NWS failed to provide chassis to the importers because it had ...