Farm to Table – what’s changing in fresh logistics

Valentine’s Day just passed, and millions of people around the world exchanged fresh flowers, premium chocolates, and fine wines. But have you ever wondered how, beyond these gifts, a vast range of perishable goods must have travelled across continents while remaining fresh and intact? The secret behind their safe arrival? Cold chain logistics—a highly specialised supply chain that ensures temperature-sensitive products reach consumers in perfect condition.

Perishable goods transported by air cargo, such as fresh-cut roses from Kenya, salmon from Norway, and avocados from Mexico, require precise temperature control throughout their journey. From farms and factories to airports and warehouses, maintaining the required temperature range is crucial to prevent spoilage and financial losses.

Air cargo plays a vital role in the transportation of perishable goods, offering rapid transportation across borders. However, speed alone is insufficient; cold chain management is essential to ensure products remain within their required temperature range.

Innovations in air cargo have revolutionised the cold chain industry, providing unparalleled levels of precision and efficiency. Active cooling containers maintain precise temperature control during transit, ensuring that perishable goods remain within their required temperature range. Digital tracking enables real-time monitoring of temperature and location, allowing for swift intervention in case of any deviations.

Automated storage at airports and warehouses ensures efficient and temperature-controlled storage, further minimising the risk of spoilage. These advancements have transformed the cold chain industry, replacing traditional methods like Styrofoam boxes and ice packs. As a result, air cargo operators can now transport perishable goods with greater confidence, reliability, and speed, meeting the growing demand for fresh produce and other temperature-sensitive products.

As demand for perishable goods continues to grow, the air cargo industry must invest in advanced technology to maintain efficiency, sustainability, and precise temperature control.

Modern packaging solutions are transforming cold chain logistics. Companies have developed specialised temperature-controlled packaging for sensitive items like seafood and fresh produce.

"We have installed data loggers and sensors in our Cool Chain Complex and cold storage facilities to facilitate real-time temperature monitoring."
Wilson Kwong, Hactl

Vacuum-sealed containers maintain a stable internal environment, reducing contamination risk. Active cooling systems, such as dry ice or phase-change materials, regulate temperatures to ensure products remain within safe limits. Advanced insulation materials prevent heat transfer, minimising temperature deviations. These innovations ensure perishable goods arrive at their destination in optimal condition, making air cargo a reliable option for temperature-sensitive shipments.

Temperature fluctuations and delays can have severe consequences for perishable shipments. To address this, Internet of Things (IoT) technology enables real-time cargo monitoring.

For example, the Cool Chain Complex at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) enables import shipments to be unloaded from aircraft, broken down, and either stored or handed to waiting customers within an entirely temperature-controlled environment. Exports enjoy a similar seamless temperature-controlled transit from warehouse to aircraft. All additional processes, such as check-weighing and X-ray screening, also take place within the CCC’s (Cool Chain Complex) controlled environment. Overall, it minimises the total time and distance between aircraft and storage, with direct airside access and its own dedicated landside truck docks. Three temperature zones (15°C, 2-8°C, and -25 to -15°C) cater to every type of commodity, and all CCC zones have real-time temperature monitoring and full CCTV coverage.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags track critical factors such as location, temperature, humidity, and shock impact. GPS-enabled sensors provide logistics providers with real-time updates, ensuring full visibility of shipments. If a temperature deviation occurs, automated alert systems notify operators, allowing them to take immediate corrective actions.

For instance, if a seafood shipment experiences a temperature spike during transit, logistics teams can intervene by adjusting storage conditions or rerouting the shipment to prevent spoilage.

International airports are expanding their cold storage capabilities to cater to the growing perishables trade. Emirates SkyCargo has built a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled facility at its Dubai hub. Similarly, Singapore Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport have dedicated perishable handling zones that ensure proper storage before goods are loaded onto aircraft.

Kwong also mentioned how constant temperature monitoring through telemetry is nothing new in containers. He stated, “At Hactl we also capture this data at our SuperTerminal1 facility. We have installed data loggers and sensors in our Cool Chain Complex and cold storage facilities to facilitate real-time temperature monitoring. We also utilise an advanced logistics control system that identifies the most efficient routes through our terminal for the transportation of perishable shipments, ensuring minimised transit times and optimal product integrity."

“Operating in the world’s largest flower-exporting countries, we combine air operations, cold-chain warehousing in the U.S., and unmatched truckload expertise across North America."
Michael Castagnetto, C.H. Robinson

Many airlines have introduced refrigerated trucks for last-mile transportation, ensuring temperature control even between airport warehouses and aircraft. These infrastructure upgrades help minimise delays and ensure that perishable shipments are handled efficiently.

C.H. Robinson's temp-controlled services incorporate air freight, including from Ecuador and Colombia — the world's largest floral hub — directly into a temperature-controlled warehouse on the Miami International Airport tarmac, refrigerated trucking capacity, and direct-to-store deliveries to over 7,500 U.S. retail locations. These are critical for the rapid transport of a product that begins to perish the moment it leaves the farm.

Michael Castagnetto, President of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson stated, “Operating in the world’s largest flower-exporting countries, we combine air operations, cold-chain warehousing in the U.S., and unmatched truckload expertise across North America. This seamless integration ensures our customers' freight is covered from origin to final destination with confidence and ease.”

Blockchain technology is enhancing transparency and accountability in air cargo logistics for perishable goods. By creating an immutable record of a shipment's journey, blockchain resolves disputes and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Each transaction, from farm to retail, is recorded, creating a verifiable history of temperature conditions, handling, and storage.

This technology ensures that regulatory agencies, retailers, and consumers can verify whether cold chain standards were maintained during air transportation. Blockchain adoption benefits air cargo logistics providers by providing a transparent and tamper-proof record of perishable shipments.

Managing temperature-sensitive products in air cargo requires precise temperature control throughout transportation. This involves refrigerated storage facilities, temperature-controlled aircraft containers, and strict handling protocols. By leveraging technology, air cargo logistics providers can ensure the integrity and quality of perishable goods, such as seafood and fresh produce, during transportation.

Blockchain can be integrated with existing systems, such as cargo management systems, to provide real-time tracking and monitoring. This enables logistics providers to respond quickly to any disruptions or temperature excursions, ensuring the quality and integrity of perishable goods.

The rise of online grocery shopping and direct-to-consumer food delivery is reshaping perishables logistics. Consumers now expect fresh produce, dairy, and meat to be delivered in pristine condition, posing new challenges for logistics providers. To meet this demand, companies are investing in cold chain infrastructure, including refrigerated aircraft containers and temperature-controlled warehouses.

“E-commerce is expected to see an increase in demand, particularly for fresh food deliveries. With such growth comes higher expectations and demand for effective cold chain solutions from storage to distribution.”
Madhav Kurup, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

Innovative solutions, such as cold storage micro-fulfilment centres and refrigerated last-mile delivery vehicles, are being deployed to ensure perishable goods reach customers in optimal condition. Air cargo logistics providers are also leveraging technology, such as real-time tracking and monitoring, to ensure the integrity of perishable shipments during transportation.

Madhav Kurup, COO Airfreight, Seafreight & Contact Logistics at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, stated, “E-commerce is expected to see an increase in demand, particularly for fresh food deliveries. With such growth comes higher expectations and demand for effective cold chain solutions from storage to distribution.”

The air cargo industry is adopting eco-friendly solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. Solar-powered cold storage and sustainable packaging are replacing traditional materials, minimising waste and environmental impact. Energy-efficient refrigeration systems, optimised for air transportation, consume less power while maintaining optimal temperatures.

These initiatives are transforming air cargo logistics for perishables, such as seafood and fresh produce, into a more environmentally responsible industry. By embracing sustainable practises, air cargo companies can reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring the integrity of temperature-sensitive shipments.

The future of air cargo logistics for perishables is being shaped by cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven predictive analytics, autonomous delivery, and advanced automation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is enabling logistics providers to anticipate disruptions like adverse weather, flight delays, or storage issues and respond promptly.

AI-driven predictive analytics can suggest alternative routes or storage solutions in real-time, minimising losses and ensuring that perishable goods, such as seafood and fresh produce, reach their destination without delay. Autonomous technology is also transforming last-mile delivery in air cargo.

As global demand for perishables rises, emerging markets are investing in cold chain logistics to support exports. Countries like India, Brazil, and regions in Africa are upgrading their cold storage and transportation networks to ensure that local producers can reach global markets without spoilage. Air cargo logistics providers are also leveraging digital platforms, infrastructure, and innovations like active containers and cool dollies to enhance visibility, traceability, and handling efficiency.

Maintaining freshness is crucial in air cargo logistics, requiring consistent temperature control throughout the supply chain to prevent spoilage and food waste. Stakeholders must collaborate to improve the perishables supply chain, investing in digital platforms, infrastructure, and innovations. Open communication with customers is also essential to understand their evolving needs and develop tailored solutions.

By prioritising resilience and innovation, the air cargo industry can address challenges like capacity constraints and volatile trade periods, ensuring the quality and timely delivery of perishables.

As you enjoy your next glass of fine French wine, Belgian chocolate, or pick up some avocados and tomatoes for your salad, remember the intricate logistics network that made it possible. Behind every bite and sip is a world of innovation—ensuring freshness from farm to fork.