From Meat to the Middle East, Fish to the European Union, Avocados to the Far East, and much more, Africa and Qatar Airways Cargo play a key role in putting food on the world’s tables.
Every second shipment that leaves an African airport on board of Qatar Airways Cargo, is headed for the world’s restaurants and supermarkets. Ranging from everyday berries, vegetables, and meat, to the more exotic lobsters, oysters, and abalones, over 37,000 tons of agricultural produce from 26 stations in 20 African countries annually make their way around the globe via Qatar Airways Cargo’s Doha hub.
Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are the main meat exporters with more than 6 million kilograms of meat travelling predominantly to the Middle East, in 2021. At 5.3 million kilograms in 2021, fish exports are not far behind, with Uganda’s famous Nile perch and South African Hake being the favorites, followed by a delicious seafood mix from Tunisia, Seychelles, Kenya, Egypt, and Tanzania. Right now, the super fruit peak season is under way: blueberries and strawberries from South Africa, Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are heading to the Far East, Middle East, European Union and the UK, alongside North African watermelon, as well as stone fruits, mangos, pineapples, avocados, and a host of other healthy options. Truffles, too, are regularly shipped to the Middle East.
Speed, hygiene, and temperature-controlled storage are mandatory when it comes to transporting perishables foodstuffs. Hence, all Qatar Airways Cargo’s General Handling Agents across the continent have secure cold room facilities to ensure that the shipments are kept within the usual 2-8°C temperature range before embarking on their journey. Some products are shipped prepacked and ready for the supermarket shelves, whilst others travel in bulk to regional distribution centers. What they all have in common, are the fast connections. Usually harvested and processed just the day before their flight – in some cases even on the same day – these perishable shipments arrive at their destinations a day later, with tail-to-tail transit times as short as 90 minutes in some cases.
With 60% of its population involved in agriculture, in an industry that has an export worth of around USD 52 billion, food exports play an important role in the continent’s economies. Plus, with 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated, arable land located in Africa, the continent has the potential to become the world’s breadbasket.
About Qatar Airways Cargo
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading international air cargo carrier is based in Doha, State of Qatar. It serves a global network of more than 60 freighter destinations and 140 passenger destinations utilizing freighters, belly-hold passenger flights, passenger freighters and mini freighters. The airline’s freighter fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-400 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters and one Airbus 310 freighter. It also has an extensive road feeder service (RFS) network.
With considerable investments in its products, services, quality handling, infrastructure, facilities, people and procedures at each of its destinations, the cargo carrier provides high operating standards for the transportation of cargo. Qatar Airways Cargo remains committed to sustainability and giving back to communities it serves through its sustainability program WeQare, built on the key pillars of sustainability: environment, society, economy and culture.
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