IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has transported record numbers of Argentinean and Chilean cherries, supporting this year’s season so far with special charters from Santiago de Chile to London Heathrow.

Cherries are a popular fruit in the UK over the winter and Christmas season, and last week saw the latest charter from Santiago de Chile to London Heathrow carrying over 7 million cherries for the UK market. Since the season started in late October, IAG Cargo has already transported over 1000 tonnes of cherries from Latin America to Spain, the UK and China via B787-9s and A350-900s, compared to 236 tonnes in 2019.

Rodrigo Casal, Regional Commercial Manager for Latin America at IAG Cargo said: “Our cherry loads are blossoming, and we’ve already quadrupled our 2019 tonnage. When it comes to perishables time is critical, and our specialised advanced cool chain solution Constant Fresh, designed exclusively for the transportation of perishable goods, maximises product shelf life, minimises waste, and preserves quality and integrity until it reaches the supermarket and the consumer.”

Chile has seen a rapid expansion of its cherry industry in recent years with a range of climates for farmers to grow cherries throughout the season. According to USDA data, Chile’s 2020/21 cherry crop year is projected to increase by 12.1% to 286,000 tonnes. Similarly, Argentina’s cherry industry has been growing, with IAG Cargo shipping cherries grown in Patagonia.  

Popularity for other Chilean and Argentinean perishables has also grown, and this year IAG Cargo has supported its exporters to transport over 6,300 tonnes of Chilean and Argentinian perishables across the world, which include salmon, hake, blueberries, corn seeds and stone fruits.

IAG Cargo operates regular services out of Latin America including Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, IAG Cargo also offers cargo-only and charter flights, operating reconfigured aircraft to maximise cargo capacity for its customers. Every year IAG Cargo flies more than 50,000 tonnes of perishables out of Latin America through IAG Cargo’s Constant Fresh product.