Airfreight gains traction for SA blueberries amid growing demand

Published August 5, 2024

SOUTH AFRICA – In the fast-moving blueberry market, South African exporters are increasingly relying on airfreight to meet rising demand.

As of July 25, this year, out of 264.75 tonnes of blueberries exported, only 19.82 tonnes were shipped by sea, all to the Middle East.

The Middle East has emerged as the largest market, accounting for nearly 53% of the total exports, with just under 140 tonnes.

This shift towards airfreight is not a new trend. It mirrors developments from previous seasons, where airfreight’s share of blueberry exports jumped from 15.4% to 44% over the past two years.

So far this season, an impressive 92% of blueberry exports have been sent by air. Elzette Schutte, manager of Berries ZA, explained, “When the industry began exporting in 2009, most cultivars had a short shelf life, necessitating airfreight to ensure freshness. It’s only recently that newer cultivars with longer shelf lives have become available, allowing for more sea freight.”

The Middle East’s share of South Africa’s blueberry exports is also increasing significantly. The region received only 4.6% of the blueberries in the 2021-2022 season, rising to 10.1% last year.

Conversely, Europe’s share decreased from 62.9% in the 2021-2022 season to 47.1% last year. The UK’s share grew from 27.3% to 35.3% during the same period.

Most blueberries in South Africa are grown in the Western Cape, making growers reliant on the Port of Cape Town for sea exports.

However, the port has faced issues, recently being ranked as the worst performer globally by the World Bank. This has added pressure on exporters, particularly during peak seasons.

Schutte noted, “The strike at Cape Town harbour in 2022 led to significant losses due to coinciding with peak blueberry export season.”

Airfreight has gained popularity not just due to logistical challenges but also because of market dynamics. Last year, Peru, the world’s largest blueberry exporter, suffered severe production losses due to drought caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

This created an opportunity for South African exporters to quickly fill the gap by airlifting blueberries.

“It is the nature of the blueberry market that importers often demand immediate supply,” Schutte added. “When shortages occur, the high prices generally make the cost of airfreight justifiable.”