Fruit exports from Chile, Peru, and Ecuador could be affected by restrictions on the Panama Canal. Shipping lines will have lower cargo capacity and handle stricter itineraries. It is due to the drought, which has reduced the number of transits and the maximum draught allowed. 

In the last quarter of the year, the outlook for reefer container transport has weakened, and cargo demand is expected to register a second consecutive year of decline. Quality product shortages have led to declining exports of deciduous fruits, exotics, melons, and berries. 

The situation at the Panama Canal is problematic, as transits and drafts have been considerably reduced due to the lack of rainfall when, in October, it registered the lowest point since 1950. Transit shifts are now 24 per day and will be phased down to 18 by February 1, 2024.  For shipping lines with reserved bookings, it will mean less cargo capacity and the need to maintain strict itineraries to handle slots, running the risk of leaving cargo in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, depending on the situation.