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At the beginning of the stone fruit season, South African exporters transport fruit to fill the supply gaps between shipments. Around 13% of South Africa’s stone fruit is transported by air, but this year the cost of air transport and the availability of flights create uncertainty.
Ninety-nine percent of South Africa’s cherries are generally exported by air.
Air freight costs have doubled, raising concerns about the shelf space typically used by fruit shipped by air.
Air vanes at OR Tambo International Airport
“The costs are ridiculous,” says one exporter, “it is one to three dollars more expensive per kilogram. It adds up pretty fast. An airplane pallet now costs around $ 7,500 to ship.”
He adds that the retail price of a fruit like a nectarine cannot jump a pound from one week to the next; consumers just won’t buy it.
Fortunately, however, Spain and Italy are mostly done and South African exporters are expecting a stronger market in Europe. Some traders have received more inquiries about early varieties of peaches and nectarines.
The orchards look great, the exporter observes, ripening a bit delayed by the cool Cape spring. Near Cape Town, the main Theewaterskloof Dam is about to overflow.
“For once, we are very optimistic about the season ahead.”
Blueberries and flowers dominate air travel
Blueberries and flowers have taken up much of the reduced airspace: 53% of South Africa’s blueberries were flown during the 2019/2020 season.
Cargo flights have continued from OR Tambo International Airport for the past few months, but not from Cape Town International Airport (expected to normalize more and more).
The cost of transporting blueberries by truck from the Western Cape to Johannesburg adds about R1,500 (77 euros) per pallet.
