Agrexco: by 2010 more fresh produce will be moved by sea

Agrexco CEO: Since the start of the decade the company's reliance on airfreight has dwindled considerably. The increasing fuel prices and costs of fertilizers justifies the move
 
Shlomo Tirosh, CEO of the Agrexco agricultural export company, said last week that the company will gradually reduce its airfreight volume and move more fresh produce by sea.
 
Tirosh noted that:"In the 90's the company shipped some 100,000 tons by sea. Since the start of the decade the company's reliance on airfreight has dwindled considerably."
 
In 2005, 55,000 tons were shipped by air, this figure was reduced to 37,000 in 2006 and further reduced to 31,000 tons in 2007. “In 2008, 26,000 tons of fresh produce will be air freighted and the aim is to ship 18,000 ton in 2009 and 8,000 ton in 2010.”
 
Due to new technology and better maintenance of ships, there has been a definite move towards seafreighting fresh herbs and flowers. The cost benefits of seafreight are huge and temperature and humidity control is also better by sea.    
 
Agrexco's newer vessels are equipped with 18 different chambers, so there is always a right chamber for whatever product is being shipped.
 
Tirosh also noted that the increasing fuel prices as well as costs of fertilizers justifies the move to sea freight which saves a great deal of money to the average farmer.