Farm to Supermarket: How Air Cargo Powers the Global Food Supply Chain

Behind every neatly stacked avocado from Peru or a slab of fresh Scottish salmon in your local supermarket lies a vast, high-speed logistics operation powered in large part by air cargo. According to a recent Research and Markets report, the global food logistics industry reached an estimated value of $162 billion in 2024, and it continues to grow, driven by global consumer demand for year-round freshness. 

At the heart of this system is air transport, which has become a critical tool in ensuring that perishable goods reach shelves before their freshness fades. The latest figures from IATA CargoIS, a market intelligence platform by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), confirm this upward trend: in 2024, the volume of fresh produce transported by air rose by 8%, underscoring aviation's central role in modern food logistics. 

Top Air-Shipped Perishables in 2024 

In 2024, fruit and vegetables accounted for the largest share of perishable air cargo at 29%, followed by fish (21%), general perishables (18%), flowers (13%), meat (10%), and cool goods (6%). While fruit and vegetables continue to dominate, the most significant year-on-year growth was seen in cool goods, up an impressive 45%, and meat, which rose by 21%. 

Key Trade Routes for Freshness 

Some trade routes have emerged as particularly busy corridors for air-shipped perishables. Leading the list for fruit and vegetable transport was the route between Mumbai and London Heathrow, fuelled by growing demand from the UK’s vibrant Indian diaspora. Another high-volume route was the domestic leg from Davao to Manila, supporting the Philippines’ internal agricultural distribution. 

Top 5 fruit and vegetable air routes by chargeable weight in 2024: 

1. Mumbai (BOM) – London Heathrow (LHR) 

2. Davao (DVO) – Manila (MNL) 

3. Cairo (CAI) – Frankfurt (FRA) 

4. Amsterdam (AMS) – Doha (DOH) 

5. Kochi (COK) – Dubai (DXB) 

   
   

In the meat segment, Australia led the global market, exporting more than 50% of all meat shipped by air. Melbourne served as the country’s key hub, with outbound shipments rising 55% year-on-year, supplying consumer-heavy markets in Singapore, Dubai, Doha, and Frankfurt. Pakistan and South Africa also emerged as major players, with South African meat exports by air nearly doubling in volume compared to the previous year. 

The Seasonality Factor 

Air cargo volumes in the perishables sector often spike around key global events and holidays. In the first two weeks of February 2024, flower shipments surged ahead of Valentine’s Day. Leading exporters during this peak were Kenya (30%), Ecuador (27%), and Colombia (16%), supplying roses and other blooms to markets across Europe and North America. 

Likewise, fish exports saw a sharp uptick in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, with Norway dominating as the top source. From 20 November 2023 to 4 February 2024, Norwegian fish accounted for 46.54% of the total air-transported chargeable weight, largely destined for Asia-Pacific markets such as Japan, Thailand, and China. 

The Vital Role of Air Freight in Food Supply Chains 

As global demand for fresh produce, meat, and seafood continues to rise, air cargo remains the fastest and most reliable mode of transport for time-sensitive shipments. According to Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, the expansion of the perishables market illustrates just how essential air travel has become for producers, distributors, and retailers alike. 

“The growth in perishable goods volumes highlights the vital role air travel plays in helping farmers, production companies, and traders get their produce from the farm to the supermarket shelf,” Sullivan explained. “Shipping perishable goods by air not only saves critical time but also supports sustainability by reducing food spoilage and waste.” 

To ensure the integrity of these delicate shipments, IATA has collaborated with airlines, logistics providers, and shippers to create industry-wide standards, training programmes, efficient handling protocols, and specialised packaging techniques. The goal: maintaining food safety and optimising speed, because in this market, timing isn’t just everything, it’s non-negotiable.