The war in the Middle East has raised concerns over food price inflation and acute increases in transportation costs that could dent the growth in perishables shipments from Latin America to the Asia-Pacific region. Cherry growers in Chile, whose crops dominate cherry exports from South America, are faced with a conundrum. According to Patrick Haines, vicepresident of fresh produce sourcing at U.S. grocery chain Kroger, the U.S. market offers them a US$800 million opportunity.