Movement of produce and flowers increase by 3 %: WorldACD

According to recent reports worldwide tonnage rose 3% from 15 to 21 April. Despite the growth in volume, however, the average worldwide rates remained stable from the previous week, at US $2.50 per kg, according to WorldACD.
It found that the volume uptick recorded this week was largely thanks to a surge of flower exports from Central and South America ahead of Mother’s Day events on 12 May, with 63% of exports from CSA and Africa headed for North America.
Chief Officer of cargo at Qatar Airways Mark Drusch stated that there was “continued global movement of produce and flowers – it’s amazing to me how that is always big and bigger”. The decline in volumes could also partly be explained by the heavy rainfall that mainly impacted Dubai recently, where flooding led to some flight cancellations.
“Dubai recorded a WoW volume drop of 18%, whereas the capital Abu Dhabi and neighbouring emirate Sharjah recorded volume increases of 20% and 103%, respectively – boosted by cargo and flights diverted from Dubai.”
Despite the recent downturn however, volumes from Dubai are still up 107% on this time last year. And disruptions to ocean shipping, paired with an unprecedented ecommerce boom, has meant overall, the air cargo market has been in good shape so far this year.