Surge in shipping of exotic fruit

The amount of exotic fruit transported by sea has grown by nearly 10 per cent in the space of a decade, according to a new report.

Drewry’s latest Reefer Shipping Market Annual review and forecast found that the worldwide perishable reefer trade shot up by 52.1 million tonnes between 2002 and 2012 - a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6 per cent.

Seaborne perishable reefer cargo also increased by a CAGR of 3.3 per cent (25.6 million tonnes) from 66.8 million tonnes in 2002, to 92.4 million tonnes in 2012.

The highest percentage growth was seen in the exotic fruit category, comprising pineapples, kiwifruit and avocadoes.

Despite its relatively small volume of 4.5 million tonnes in 2012, the sector has grown by a CAGR of 9.1 per cent since 2002.

Kevin Harding, editor of the report, said: 'It is important to note that the import patterns have changed considerably during the past decade. Western Europe has declined to a 38 per cent share share of worldwide imports – although still importing 66 million tonnes of cargo in 2012.

'Eastern Europe’s importance has grown from an 11 per cent share in 2002 to a 13 per cent share in 2012 – with cargo tonnage increasing by 76 per cent over this period.”