Our Country Managers discuss the challenges of 2025

Source: UCC proyecta los próximos desafíos para sus oficinas

This year will be pivotal in UCC’s history. In December, the Chilean company will celebrate its 15th anniversary, solidifying its position in the industry. This milestone comes with significant global challenges, as noted by its CEO, René Díaz: “In 2025, we will focus on sustainability, prioritizing customer needs and expectations. We are working to elevate customer service standards across all our operations.”

On a local level, each of the six offices plays an essential role in achieving the company’s business objectives. Below, the key executives from the different operations share their vision for the upcoming months.

Chile and Peru

For Chile, the year has already started intensely with the cherry campaign, one of the operation’s main commodities. “We are pleased with the start of 2025, as cargo volumes were high and operations were successful. I highlight the great performance of the entire UCC Chile team,” says Ricardo Norambuena, UCC’s Operations Director and Chile’s Country Manager (interim).

“This year, we also aim to consolidate higher volumes not only in fresh cargo, which is our core business, but also in dry cargo and frozen, segments we have always been interested in,” he adds.

Norambuena also emphasizes that “our global sustainability focus constantly challenges us to find the best solutions in how we operate, where excellence and innovation are key. Ultimately, this translates into the service we provide to our customers.”

Peru, UCC’s second oldest office, will also celebrate a major milestone this year, as August 2nd marks a decade since its inauguration. According to its Country Manager, Fernanda Canevaro, it has been “a decade characterized by hard work, great challenges and achievements. Focused on exporting perishable products, we have achieved steady and sustained growth, primarily in grape exports.” Over the years, the product portfolio has expanded, incorporating avocado, blueberry, mango, pomegranate and dry cargo, among others.

“Since the pandemic, we have established ourselves as one of the key players in the Peruvian logistics sector. In 2023, we launched our Logistics Services division, increasing our market participation by offering complementary services such as land transportation, maritime agency, customs brokerage and documentation services,” she adds.

Canevaro, who has been with the office since its opening in 2015, has led UCC Peru to “obtain our Freight Forwarding Company license in 2023 and BASC certification in 2024, just as other offices have done. This has also helped increase our operational volume and differentiate us from our main competitors.” She also highlights last year’s opening of a new office in Piura, in the northern region of the country.

For 2025, “our main goal will undoubtedly be the continuous improvement of service, offering customized solutions for each client’s needs while staying at the forefront of technology and data,” she concludes.

Costa Rica and Colombia

At UCC Costa Rica, 2024 stood out as a year of recognition, as the company was awarded in the “Logistics Partner Company” category by the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO)—the country’s most prestigious industry association—during the 35th National Exporter’s Day.

According to its Country Manager, Esteban Rodríguez, last year “was particularly challenging due to the shortage of our main export product, fresh pineapple.”

In 2025, the company aims to “consolidate itself as one of the top service providers, ensuring space availability and excellent customer service.” Rodríguez adds that “the year begins with challenges due to climate-related effects on agricultural production. On the other hand, we will be innovating with a technology solution that utilizes artificial intelligence, making both internal and customer-facing processes more efficient and effective.”

In Colombia, 2025 will be a year of portfolio expansion and increased market penetration for UCC. “In just three years of operation, we have established ourselves as a reliable partner with high standards and a strong service orientation in the northern and central-western regions of the country,” says its Country Manager, Juan Fernando Montoya. This has been particularly recognized by the Hass avocado industry, which currently exports to 30 markets: “With them, we have achieved significant logistical integration in their supply chain, providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions through our export expertise, proprietary infrastructure and talented team,” he adds.

The central and southern regions of the country will receive significant focus in 2025. Montoya states: “We have great expectations for bringing our experience and portfolio to these regions, seeking to expand our logistics service offerings to Colombian businesses”.

America and Iberia

Meanwhile, UCC America, headquartered in Miami, plays a strategic role within UCC’s network, executing over 5,000 operations annually. Montoya, who also serves as the Country Manager for this office, states: “In 2025, our goal is to continue strengthening our operational capabilities in North America as a logistics hub for cargo flows from the Latin American region.”

“Our nationwide coverage allows us to offer reliable and competitive inland services as a key complement to ensuring high service levels for cargo consignees at destination”, he adds.

At UCC Iberia, the company’s newest office, the focus will be on customized solutions. “We are a relatively new office, founded in July 2022. Last year’s experience was part of our initial growth, understanding that we are progressing step by step in this region. For 2025, our goal is to provide clients with any logistics solution, ensuring security at both origin and destination with our full value proposition”, says its Country Manager, Sonia Maíllo.

“Ultimately, we want every client to have a ‘tailor-made suit,’ adapting the best logistics at the lowest possible cost for each one,” she adds.

Maíllo also highlights UCC Iberia’s participation in Berlin Fruit Logistica this week, noting that “this will be the first customer touchpoint of the year, which could be decisive for our 2025.” Representing this office will be Eduardo de Luque, Commercial Manager, and Maica Cagiao, Sales Executive.

Additionally, UCC’s global presence at the event will be reinforced by five other representatives: Fernanda Canevaro, Esteban Rodríguez, and Juan Fernando Montoya will attend on behalf of their respective offices, while Rodrigo Baeza, Sales Manager, will represent Chile.