Airfreight fruit exports face growing challenges, including weight variations that disrupt logistics, last-minute cancellations due to production delays, and strict phytosanitary controls at the destination. These factors require greater precision and coordination to ensure quality and meet international standards.
Denis De Farias Duarte, an air logistics expert and vice president of cargo development at Frankfurt Airport, explains how seemingly minor details can determine the difference between a successful export and cargo that never takes off. From fruit handling at the origin to strict regulations at the destination, every step matters.
"The weight on the packaging is never the final weight," Denis stated. The fruit boxes may indicate 18 kilos, but natural variations, such as fruits with a few extra or fewer grams, affect the total weight of the pallet. In an air shipment, where every kilo counts, these mismatches can lead to rearranging the entire load or cancelling a reservation. "The plane can only handle so much. If we have a 15-kilo deviation here and a 20-kilo deviation there, it'll be unable to fly," he warned.
One of the great logistical challenges is the uncertainty in production. "There are times when exporters cancel reservations two or three hours before boarding because the cargo is not ready," he said. While cargo and passenger flights offer space for merchandise, the rules are clear: if the cargo does not arrive on time, the reservation is lost. Still, air transport maintains some flexibility with perishable goods, as long as protocols are respected.
At the destination, quality controls are rigorous. In Frankfurt, cargo is tested for pesticides and heavy metals. "If it doesn't meet standards, they destroy it. It's a real risk," Denis said. These controls, while stringent, are designed to protect public health and ensure that only suitable products reach consumers.
Frankfurt Airport houses the Perishable Center Frankfurt (PCF), an independent facility specializing in handling perishable goods. This center, one of the largest and most modern in Europe, concentrates fruits, meats, and fish in one location, optimizing logistics for importers and distributors. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards sourcing from new origins closer to Europe, such as Morocco and Egypt, which are gaining prominence in citrus air exports, thereby intensifying competition in the market.
In the future, efficiency and precision in logistical handling will be crucial for the growth of the airfreight fruit trade. Denis sums it up: "Knowing all parts of the chain, from the field to the plane, is what makes the difference. Because it's not just your cargo; it travels alongside many others."
For more information:
Denis De Farias Duarte
Fraport AG
Tel. +49 173 6999 656
Email: [email protected]
www.fraport.com