Inside Emirates SkyCargo’s perishables network
Sonia Sali
As global demand for fresh produce and other perishables grows, efficient cold chain logistics is essential to connect produce with international markets while preserving product quality. In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Julian Sutch, Global Head of Cool Chain, Emirates SkyCargo discusses evolving trade flows, specialised handling and cold chain solutions.
What are Emirates SkyCargo’s key perishables trade corridors, and how are trade flows evolving across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa?
Emirates SkyCargo transports a wide range of perishables through its global network, connecting production regions with major consumer markets across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Key trade corridors include fresh fruits and vegetables from Africa and Asia into Europe and the Middle East, seafood from Asia to global markets, flowers from Africa to Europe and the Middle East, and premium perishables moving into high consumption destinations across the GCC and Asia.
Trade patterns evolve constantly influenced by several factors including changing consumer demand, shifting production areas, opening of new trade lanes, trade agreements and broader global developments. It is important to have resilient supply chains that create opportunities for new routings and logistics solutions.
To support these evolving requirements, Emirates SkyCargo continues to leverage its extensive global network, including road feeder services (RFS) and the deployment of dedicated freighter capacity where demand is strongest. This flexibility enables us to provide farms and shippers with reliable connections globally and ensure that through our specialised solutions, end consumers all around the world are able to access perishables in the best conditions.
How does Emirates SkyCargo maintain the cold chain and product quality when transporting perishables through extreme climates?
Maintaining the integrity of perishables begins with preserving the cold chain from origin to destination. Emirates SkyCargo supports this through specialised handling processes, temperature-controlled facilities and dedicated products designed for time and temperature-sensitive shipments.
We developed Emirates Fresh, a three-tiered specialised solution for transportation of perishables that accounts for produce with higher tolerances right the way through to the most sensitive perishables that require end-to-end cool chain protection, including on the loading ramp.
We monitor shipments throughout the transportation journey, with careful management of storage, handling and transfer processes to minimise temperature deviations. Our facilities in Dubai include dedicated cool chain infrastructure, and specialised solutions such as Cool Dollies, which are used to protect shipments during ramp transfers and dedicated reefer trucks for transfers between DWC and DXB airports.
By combining operational expertise, dedicated infrastructure and close collaboration with customers and ground handling partners in every point of sales across our global network, we help ensure products transit from farms to shops in optimal condition regardless of external climatic conditions in as little as 24-48 hours.
How does packaging help maintain freshness, temperature stability and quality across different types of perishables during air transport?
The choice of packaging is one that is ultimately made by the shipper/ farm and is based on the specific requirements of the commodity being transported. Different perishables have varying sensitivities to temperature, humidity, ventilation and transit duration.
Emirates SkyCargo works closely with our customers to provide insights to customers where needed encourage the use of packaging that protects product quality, supports temperature control where required, allows safe handling throughout transportation and complies with applicable regulatory requirements. Appropriate packaging, combined with an uninterrupted cold chain and efficient transportation, plays an important role in helping preserve freshness during transit.
We are able to supplement and support the packaging of the product with an additional layer of temperature protection by using equipment such as Cool Dollies or thermal covers where necessary.
What key certifications and documentation are required for international perishables shipments, and how does Emirates SkyCargo support compliance?
The certification and documentation requirements for perishables vary depending on the commodity, country of origin and destination market. These may include phytosanitary certificates, health certificates, export permits, import approvals and customs related documentation.
While shippers are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, Emirates SkyCargo works closely with customers, freight forwarders and regulatory authorities to provide guidance on regulations and facilitate the smooth movement of their shipments.
How are farmers and producers adapting to international export requirements, and how does Emirates SkyCargo support global agricultural trade?
While cultivation and production practices are best addressed by growers and exporters, we are seeing increasing focus across the industry on quality assurance, traceability, sustainability and compliance with import requirements in destination markets.
Emirates SkyCargo supports global agricultural trade by providing reliable and efficient air cargo solutions that help producers and exporters access international markets and a global base of consumers. Through our global network and specialised perishables handling capabilities under Emirates Fresh, we enable fresh products to reach consumers quickly while maintaining quality and freshness throughout the transportation process. We are also constantly innovating our solutions and technology to ensure that we are able to keep up with the requirements from our customers.
How does Emirates SkyCargo ensure perishables are handled efficiently at destination before entering local distribution networks?
Distribution after arrival is typically managed by importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and logistics providers, and can vary significantly by market and commodity type.
From our perspective, our role is to ensure shipments are delivered efficiently and in optimal condition to the consignee or appointed partners at destination. For this, we make sure that our ground handling agents and teams at these destinations follow the best practices ensuring the integrity of cargo through correct handling and temperature control protocols. Once released, products enter the customer's distribution network, where they are transported onwards to distribution centres, retailers, food service providers or other end markets based on their commercial requirements.
In certain markets such as our hub in Dubai, we also work closely with major retailers to provide guidance on developing bespoke warehouse-level logistics solutions, providing specialised technical expertise and strategic consultation to design, develop and optimise infrastructure and operational capabilities such as building and breaking down pallets for shipping and receiving perishables and other goods at scale.
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