New producers of high-value crops are starting to come on stream and are changing the traditional mix of exports out of Zambia, according to Jonathan Lewis, managing director of NAC2000. The company has invested in new temperaturecontrolled storage on the border of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka. In April it moved into the KKIA freight village. Flowers have traditionally been the mainstay of fresh exports from Lusaka, but volumes of other products such as passion fruit and blueberries are growing. “We have had two good seasons of passion fruit to Europe, while the blueberries are going to the Middle and Far East,” he told FTW. In addition Zambia has started exporting table grapes into South Africa. “There has also been an increase in exports of precious and semi-precious stones,” he adds. These additions have come at a good time for the airfreight sector as volumes are up to 50% down year on year due to a general economic slowdown and an ongoing drought in much of the country. “This means there is lots of airfreight capacity available. The upgrading of KKIA is expected to attract more flights, and with them greater capacity. “Lusaka is well positioned as a regional airfreight hub. We are ready to support the growth,” he says. NAC2000 provides ground and passenger handling, as well as freight forwarding and clearing. The company currently handles all cargo for Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and South African Airways and provides support services for ad hoc cargo. It also provides clearing services for road haulage.
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Lusaka is well positioned as a regional airfreight hub. – Jonathan Lewis
