Logistics firm Rhenus Group has added a dedicated perishables team to its operation in China on the back of increasing demand.
The new team will be part of Rhenus Fresh and will target the transportation of goods between Greater China, Europe and Latin America, in particular Chile.
"Rhenus Chile's major trade with Asia for fresh perishables highlights the increasing market demand, particularly for fruits shipped to China and meat to Hong Kong via airfreight," the company said.
Chile is one of the leading exporters of salmon to China, Rhenus added.
The logistics firm pointed to Seabury data showing that in 2022 the import volume of fresh goods via airfreight in Greater China stood at 528,629 tons, compared with exports of 13,483 tons.
"Key countries of import include Thailand, the US, Spain, France, Italy, Australia, the Netherlands and Norway.
For ocean freight, 2022 import volumes of perishables into Grater China stood at 1.1m tons and exports 797,571 tons.
The forwarder has been expanding its fresh division over the past year, adding a presence in the UK in March and more recently in Spain. It also has a presence in Norway and the Netherlands.
The expansion of its fresh cargo services also comes shortly after Rhenus’ recent acquisition of BLU Logistics, a Latin American freight forwarder present in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay, as well as in Greater China.
