IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has transported record numbers of Argentinian and Chilean cherries. Last week, the latest charter flew from Santiago de Chile to London Heathrow, carrying over 7 million cherries for the UK market.
Since the season started in late October, IAG Cargo has already transported over 1000 tonnes of cherries from Latin America to Spain, the UK and China via B787-9s and A350-900s, compared to 236 tonnes in 2019.
Chile has seen a rapid expansion of its cherry industry in recent years with a range of climates for farmers to grow cherries throughout the season. According to USDA data, Chile’s 2020/21 cherry crop year is projected to increase by 12.1% to 286,000 tonnes. Similarly, Argentina’s cherry industry has been growing, with IAG Cargo shipping cherries grown in Patagonia.
According to an article on ajot.com, popularity for other Chilean and Argentinean perishables has also grown, and this year IAG Cargo has supported its exporters to transport over 6,300 tonnes of Chilean and Argentinian perishables across the world, which include salmon, hake, blueberries, corn seeds and stone fruits.
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