In the refrigerated sections of modern supermarkets, the Peruvian avocados and Scottish salmon readily available to consumers represent the tip of a $162 billion food logistics industry. According to recent market research, this sector is projected to reach $162 billion in 2024, with air transport becoming an increasingly vital link in the perishable goods supply chain.
Accelerated Growth in Perishable Air Cargo
Data from IATA's CargoIS reveals an 8% market growth in air-transported fresh produce during 2024. Fruits and vegetables dominate perishable air freight, accounting for nearly one-third of total volume. Fish (21%), flowers (13%), and meat (10%) complete the top categories. The fastest-growing segment is chilled goods, showing remarkable 45% year-over-year growth, followed by meat at 21%.
Key Trade Routes and Emerging Patterns
The Mumbai to London Heathrow route has emerged as the busiest corridor for fruit and vegetable transport, driven by growing demand from the UK's Indian diaspora. Domestically, the Davao-Manila route in the Philippines ranks second in activity. Australia now leads as the largest exporter of air-freighted meat, commanding over 50% of the market. Melbourne serves as the country's primary cargo hub, with meat shipments increasing 55% annually, primarily destined for Singapore, Dubai, Doha, and Frankfurt.
Seasonal demand patterns closely align with global celebrations. Flower shipments surge in the two weeks preceding Valentine's Day, with Ecuador, Kenya, and Colombia as primary suppliers. Similarly, fish transport peaks before Lunar New Year, with Norway as the leading source country.
The Sustainability Equation
The expansion of perishable goods transportation underscores air freight's critical role in connecting producers with global markets. Beyond preserving the limited shelf life of fresh products, this mode of transport contributes to sustainability efforts by significantly reducing food waste - estimated at 1.3 billion tons annually worldwide. The industry's challenge lies in balancing this efficiency against its carbon footprint, with many carriers now investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft and optimized routing systems.
As consumer expectations for fresh, globally sourced foods continue to rise, the perishable air freight sector appears poised for sustained growth, reshaping both supply chain strategies and supermarket offerings worldwide.