• Ethiopian Cargo launched its 2025–2026 cherry season with a long-haul charter from Chile to China, successfully moving high-value perishables with full cold-chain integrity and signalling a strategic push into intercontinental fresh-produce logistics
• The airline expects to transport about 1.23 million kilograms of cherries this season, supported by strict temperature control, dedicated cold-chain infrastructure, real-time monitoring, and strong coordination across Santiago, Lagos, Addis Ababa, and Ezhou
• Cherries serve as a gateway to broader growth in perishables, with Ethiopian Cargo expanding its cold-chain capacity, digital monitoring, and trade lanes to support seafood, pharmaceuticals, and fresh produce across global markets

Ethiopian Cargo has launched its 2025–2026 cherry season with a long-haul charter from Chile to China, marking a significant shift in how perishables move between Latin America and Asia. The carrier’s ability to complete the inaugural cherry shipment with full cold-chain integrity underscores its ambition to compete in high-value fresh produce logistics across intercontinental distances.

By successfully moving high-value cherries from Santiago to Ezhou via Lagos and Addis Ababa, the airline is signalling more than operational capability—it’s laying a claim to a role in reshaping fresh-produce corridors between Latin America and Asia.

“Successfully carrying out the first freight operation of Chilean cherries into China marks an important achievement for Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services,” said Dereje Derero, Managing Director of Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services. “It not only showcases the team’s ability to handle time- and temperature-sensitive high-value perishables across long distances but also reinforces Ethiopian Airlines’ ever-growing role in providing reliable supply chain services across the major trade lanes.”

The airline is projecting to handle roughly 1.23 million kilograms of cherries this season—around a 10 percent increase on last year’s volumes. “This growth signals stronger demand from the Chinese market and continued confidence of Chilean exporters in Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to transport their fruits reliably during the peak window,” Derero added.

The cherry charter flights operate from Santiago to Ezhou, with intermediate stops in Lagos and Addis Ababa. Temperature control is maintained throughout the journey—on the aircraft and at handling points in all three countries. Ethiopian’s hub in Addis Ababa plays a key role, offering what Derero described as the “best-suited climate” alongside technical cold-chain infrastructure.

The cherry operation hinges on strict temperature management across every link of the chain. “The logistical and operational preparation for the seasonal Cherry Charter programme focused around moving the cherry fruits quickly and under a strict temperature-controlled environment from the point of origin until the final destination,” said Derero. “Every handling milestone—from ground handling, aircraft loading/unloading, to the entire cold-chain management—is designed to keep the cherries at peak freshness.”

That precision extends to infrastructure and real-time oversight. “Ethiopian Cargo relies on its modern temperature-controlled freighters and bellyhold fleets, stringent temperature control management, dedicated state-of-the-art cold-chain facilities, real-time cold-chain site smart monitoring system, best-suited climate of its hub airport located at Addis Ababa, and its cold-chain logistics professionals,” Derero explained.

Even the final delivery phase in China is carefully streamlined. “Currently, we handle a modest volume of cherries through customs, and shipments arriving on morning flights are typically collected the same day,” he noted. “Ezhou Customs also provides strong facilitation for fresh produce imports. There’s currently no requirement for sampling inspection, and clearance is processed through standard procedures.”

One of the often-overlooked challenges in perishable logistics is customs delay—particularly for fresh produce with short shelf lives. Ethiopian’s cherry shipment strategy leaned heavily on regulatory cooperation.

“Collaboration with airports and customs authorities is essential for keeping time-critical exports like cherries moving without delay,” Derero said. “The success of the first freighter operation relied heavily on how quickly the cherries could move through customs after landing.”

He praised the coordination at Ezhou: “It was delightful to hear the customs process was completed by the time we reached the cargo terminal after the reception of the cargo flight at the airside.” This level of alignment, he added, allowed the cherries to transition seamlessly into China’s domestic distribution network with minimal loss of freshness.

From cherries to seafood and pharma

While cherries are a seasonal anchor, they are just one part of a broader perishables play. “Beyond cherries, our flight service network is seeing strong growth potential in a variety of perishable commodities,” said Derero. “These include salmon and other seafood, a wide range of fruits and vegetables, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.”

The expanding demand for cool-chain services is reshaping Ethiopia’s global cargo footprint. “Our operations increasingly handle fresh produce and perishables from regions such as Africa, India, the Middle East, and Europe,” he added. “This diversity not only strengthens our cargo volumes but also highlights the expanding opportunities in the perishable supply chain.”

With rising global demand for perishables and growing strain on traditional trade routes, Ethiopian Cargo sees further opportunity in infrastructure and network investment. “Plans for expansion include increasing dedicated cold-chain capacity, enhancing ground handling facilities, and opening new trade lanes that leverage Addis Ababa’s strategic hub location,” Derero said.

Digitalisation is also playing a role. By integrating real-time monitoring systems and site smart cold-chain control, the airline aims to deepen visibility and responsiveness during transit—critical for managing pharmaceuticals and seafood, where tolerances for temperature deviation are especially tight.

“Strong partnerships with exporters and distributors will help streamline time-critical shipments, ensuring freshness and reliability for global markets,” he added. “By integrating digital monitoring and network diversification, Ethiopian Cargo aims to strengthen its role as a key player in global fresh-produce logistics, connecting producers to high-demand consumer markets worldwide.”

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