Port of Wilmington added to USDA program, allows more direct produce imports

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Port of Wilmington will be part of a government program designed to help increase produce shipments to the United States.

Port of Wilmington is being added to both phase one and two of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot Program.

This will allow more direct imports of produce from across the Americas and other countries in the cold treatment program than ever before.

Cold treatment is a process in which perishable fruits have their pulp brought to a certain temperature in order to fulfill USDA quarantine requirements for fruits entering the U.S.