IAG Cargo flew 2,361 tonnes of asparagus to the UK and mainland Europe between January and April this year – a record for the business. This represents an 86% increase in demand compared to the 1,270 tonnes it shipped in the same period in 2020.
It shipped 59 tonnes of asparagus to London Heathrow in the eight days prior to the reopening of UK restaurants on 12 April.
IAG Cargo’s Prioritise solution – its express solution (product) which offers the fastest publicised cut-off and delivery times of any air carrier – was used for many of the flights, highlighting the spike in demand for the vegetable and need for maximum freshness.
Madrid was another popular destination for asparagus during the period, with 1,282 tonnes delivered there. Again, IAG Cargo’s dedicated Prioritise facility came to the fore in providing a rapid service.
Overall, it is estimated that IAG Cargo has shipped 26.2m servings of asparagus to date in 2021, a notable proportion of which was shipped via five charters dedicated to the vegetable*.
Pravin Singh IAG Cargo Regional Commercial Manager for the Americas commented: “Every year IAG Cargo transports thousands of tonnes of food stuffs across the world, keeping varied and much-loved produce landing on restaurant plates and shop shelves.
“Due to unseasonably cold and wet weather in Europe, the recent surge in demand for asparagus has been met by producers in the United States and Latin America, with 43% of shipments coming in from Los Angeles Airport and 57% from Peru and Ecuador.”
Eligible customers seeking to book their freight with IAG Cargo can benefit from its loyalty programme – Forward.Rewards and Forward.Platnum, and currently they can earn double points on shipments from LATAM to Europe until 10 June.
*2,361 tonnes of asparagus equates to 26.2m servings on the basis a serving consists of 6 asparagus weighing 90g
