Air New Zealand Cargo is putting Christmas lunch on tables around the world
Its helping Kiwi farmers send nearly three million kilograms of meat to international markets annually – primarily Europe and the United States.
About 30% of that is sent in November and December.
“We carry around 900,000 kilograms of lamb in chilled compartments in the bellies of our aircraft over the eight weeks leading up to Christmas,” Air NZ Cargo export channel manager Greg Edmonds says. “Most of it goes to the United Kingdom, which simply can’t get enough of the world-class lamb our farmers produce.”
Germany and Holland make up the big three European countries importing New Zealand lamb for Christmas.
Air NZ has grown its meat programme to meet the needs of these two emerging markets.
“Rather than finish our responsibility at Cologne and Amsterdam airport, we have developed a unique solution that takes care of the journey from New Zealand all the way to the buyer’s door. It’s a service our customers love and it helps maximise sales for New Zealand producers,” Edmonds says.
Central Otago cherries top the international Christmas wish list for fruit and vegetables. Air New Zealand expects to carry more than 700,000kg of local cherries during the summer season.
Apricots, blueberries, strawberries, capsicums and crayfish are other in-demand export items taken around the world this time of year.
