CVJ grows traffic into Angola, Accra and Lagos

ALAN PEAT AFTER ITS first year in business, CVJ Freight Services has developed significant markets in perishable airfreight into Angola, Ghana and Nigeria, according to company director, Koos van Jaarsveld. With an economy that is still growing at a healthy rate, the biggest market for the CVJ airfreight product is Angola – but Accra in Ghana and Lagos in Nigeria are also growing markets, he told FTW. “We’ve been building these markets, although the rand/US dollar exchange rate has made it an uphill battle at times,” he said. “But we have been very positive in our approach, and the first year for CVJ was outstanding.” Van Jaarsveld also expects continuing growth for the company’s perishable exports to the Angolan market this year – with chickens high on the list of growing cargo volumes. “But Luanda for us is a mix of everything perishable,” he said, “as we ship a big list of foodstuffs to a supermarket chain in that country.” And, although there are airspace restrictions on the Angola run, CVJ has preferential space, so the company can look to further development of its perishable cargoes on that route. For Ghana and Nigeria, the speciality is catering supplies. “We have taken on a few International Air Transport Association (IATA) agents this last year,” said Van Jaarsveld, “and we feel we are progressing very well.” With a small business, he sees distinct benefits in the company’s marketing programme. This year will also mark the entry of CVJ Freight Services into seafreight, according to Van Jaarsveld. “Again we are going to concentrate on cargoes mostly into Africa,” he told FTW.