WEEKLY NEWS


CHILEAN CHERRIES LAND IN CHINA VIA ETHIOPIA IN COLD-CHAIN MILESTONE


AIR CARG O WEEK


BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


ETHIOPIAN Cargo has launched its 2025–2026 cherry season with a long-haul charter


from


Chile to China, marking a significant shift in how perishables move between Latin America and Asia. The carrier’s ability to complete the inaugural cherry shipment with full cold-chain integrity underscores its ambition to compete in


high-value fresh produce intercontinental distances. logistics across


By successfully moving high-value cherries


from Santiago to Ezhou via Lagos and Addis Ababa,


the airline is signalling more than


operational capability—it’s laying a claim to a role in reshaping fresh-produce corridors between Latin America and Asia. “Successfully carrying out the first freight


operation of Chilean cherries into China marks an important achievement for Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services,” said Dereje Derero, Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics


Services.


“It not only showcases the team’s


ability to handle time- and temperature-sensitive high-value perishables across long distances but also reinforces Ethiopian Airlines’ ever-growing role in providing reliable supply chain services across the major trade lanes.” The airline is projecting to handle roughly 1.23


04


million kilograms of cherries this season—around a 10 percent increase on last year’s volumes. “This growth signals stronger demand from the Chinese market and continued confidence of Chilean exporters in Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to transport their fruits reliably during the peak window,” Derero added. The cherry charter flights operate from Santiago


to Ezhou, with intermediate stops in Lagos and Addis Ababa. Temperature control is maintained throughout the journey—on the aircraft and at handling points in all three countries. Ethiopian’s hub in Addis Ababa plays a key role, offering what Derero described as the “best-suited climate” alongside technical cold-chain infrastructure. The cherry operation hinges on strict temperature management


across for the every link


of the chain. “The logistical and operational preparation


temperature-


controlled environment from the point of origin until the final destination,” said Derero. “Every handling aircraft


milestone—from loading/unloading,


ground to the entire cold-


chain management—is designed to keep the cherries at peak freshness.” That precision extends to infrastructure and


real-time oversight. “Ethiopian Cargo relies on its modern temperature-controlled freighters and bellyhold fleets, stringent temperature control management, chain facilities,


seasonal Cherry Charter


programme focused around moving the cherry fruits quickly and under a strict


handling,


heavily on regulatory cooperation. “Collaboration with airports and customs


authorities is essential for keeping time-critical exports like cherries moving without delay,” Derero said. “The success of the first freighter operation relied heavily on how quickly the cherries could move through customs after landing.” He praised the coordination at Ezhou: “It was to hear


delightful


completed by the time we reached the cargo terminal after the reception of the cargo flight at the airside.” This level of alignment, he added, allowed the cherries to transition seamlessly into China’s domestic distribution network with minimal loss of freshness.


From cherries to seafood and pharma While cherries are a seasonal anchor, they are just one part of a broader perishables play. “Beyond cherries, our flight service network is seeing strong growth potential in a variety of perishable commodities,” said Derero.


“These include salmon and other


seafood, a wide range of fruits and vegetables, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.” The expanding demand for cool-chain services


is reshaping Ethiopia’s global cargo footprint. “Our operations increasingly handle fresh produce and perishables from regions such as Africa, India, the Middle East, and Europe,” he added. “This diversity not only strengthens our cargo volumes but also highlights the expanding opportunities in the perishable supply chain.” With rising global demand for perishables


and growing strain on traditional trade routes, Ethiopian


Cargo


dedicated state-of-the-art cold- real-time cold-chain site smart


monitoring system, best-suited climate of its hub airport located at Addis Ababa, and its cold-chain logistics professionals,” Derero explained. Even the final


delivery carefully streamlined. phase in China is “Currently, we handle a


modest volume of cherries through customs, and shipments arriving on morning flights are typically collected the same day,” he noted. “Ezhou Customs also provides strong facilitation for fresh produce imports. There’s currently no requirement


sampling inspection, and clearance is processed through standard procedures.” One


of in the perishable logistics


often-overlooked is


customs


particularly for fresh produce with short shelf lives. Ethiopian’s cherry shipment strategy leaned


ACW 22 DECEMBER 2025 www.aircargoweek.com sees further opportunity ground handling in


infrastructure and network investment. “Plans for expansion include increasing dedicated cold-chain capacity, enhancing


facilities,


and opening new trade lanes that leverage Addis Ababa’s strategic hub location,” Derero said. Digitalisation is also playing a role. By


integrating real-time monitoring systems and site smart cold-chain control, the airline aims to deepen visibility and responsiveness during transit—critical


for managing pharmaceuticals


and seafood, where tolerances for temperature deviation are especially tight. “Strong partnerships with exporters and


for


challenges delay—


distributors will help streamline time-critical shipments, ensuring freshness and reliability for global markets,” he added. “By integrating digital monitoring and network diversification, Ethiopian Cargo aims to strengthen its role as a key player in global fresh-produce logistics, connecting producers to high-demand consumer markets worldwide.”


the customs process was


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