Luxembourg-based all-cargo carrier Cargolux transported more than 2.4m tonnes of fresh produce last year, up 3.3% compared to 2016 as demand for airfreighted fruits and vegetables booms.
Of the total fresh produce the airline carried in 2017, 1.1m tonnes (46%) comprised fruit.
The main consumer markets for these goods are in Europe, the US and some parts of Asia, while key points of origin include Chile (blueberries), Peru (asparagus) and Kenya (beans). Cargolux operates close to 20 flights out of Africa and South America to Europe each week.
Africa is a big exporter of fruit and vegetables for European consumers in particular; in the other direction, fast-growing countries such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa are tending to import more high-tech goods, agricultural products and machinery, Cargolux noted.
Demand for safe and reliable air transport of perishable goods is expected to increase, it added, highlighting its range of thermal capabilities – including equipment such as the Air Cargo cover that helps protect temperature-sensitive shipments.
Read more perishable logistics news
Cargolux is currently promoting its CV fresh solution for moving perishable and other vulnerable goods at the Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin.
