Harvesting has begun across South Africa of the largest blueberry crop yet, an estimated 24,000 tonnes of production. 17,000 tonnes will probably be exported.
Exports came to 12,282 tonnes last year, which gives an idea of the tremendous growth within the blueberry industry.
There is a lot of uncertainty around air freight and its capabilities, but at the same time new genetics mean that a lot more fruit is suitable for sea freight, so there’s a real shift from air freight to sea freight this season.
There would have been a major transition from air to sea freight this season, even if air freight rates hadn’t risen excessively.