Perishable produce puts more pressure on tight air cargo market
Fruit export season kicks off with fewer airfreight options
A warehouse worker scans a shipment of strawberries. (Photo: Scott Case/Commodity Forwarders Inc.)
The competition for scarce aircraft to transport international cargo is about to get even more intense, especially for exports from the U.S. West coast, as seasonal fruit growers look to squeeze their way onto already crowded aircraft.
Expectations for a strong growing season combined with high fruit demand around the world point to robust exports this year. California cherry harvesting went into full swing earlier this month. After that, stone fruits like peaches and apricots head to market, followed by grapes. Pacific Northwest cherries arrive in early June. And blueberries and blackberries will be shipped in July.