High-value perishables at risk

The growing move to bigger
vessels, fewer port calls and
more transhipments is placing
the seafreight transport of
high-value perishables such
as litchis and mangoes under
threat.
“Already the higher costs
of reefers and the additional
equipment and monitoring
required results in higher
shipping rates. Increased
insurance to cover the
increased risk is now adding to
the cost,” a perishable shipper
told FTW.
“There are fewer and fewer
direct shipping routes. To
get to West Africa from Cape
Town cargo has to move to
Las Palmas and then down to
Africa again. That is a 28-day
voyage. It’s not so much of an
issue when it’s general cargo
but when you are moving a
high-value delicate fruit it is a
completely different story.”
While many exporters of
high-value perishables – be it
crayfish or litchis – often opt to
use airfreight, cost has become
a challenge, particularly in the
current environment. Capacity
was another stumbling block,
he added.