08 July 2020
Pent up demand from Chinese consumers for fresh New Zealand lobster has seen the volume winging its way out of Auckland Airport reach levels not seen since 2015.
The latest air cargo data for May shows more than 300 tonnes of live lobsters were airfreighted to China, up 53% on the same month last year.
The renewed appetite for lobster comes after a tough couple of months for the export industry. The outbreak of COVID-19 saw the shut-down of restaurants in China mid-way through the Chinese New Year celebrations in late January.
Air cargo figures for Auckland Airport show the rapid drop in lobster volumes over the next three months – down 84% in February, -44% in March and -52% in April.
The re-opening of the Chinese hospitality industry in time for the national three-day Labour Day holiday, plus the addition of air cargo capacity into China in May, gave the lobster industry a much-needed boost, said Scott Tasker, General Manager Aeronautical Commercial at Auckland Airport.
“Up to 90% of New Zealand’s lobster exports are sent to overseas markets as air cargo. Most of that is now heading to China, a market that appreciates fresh, high-quality ingredients particularly in the high-end restaurant and hospitality trade.
“A few years ago, much of the New Zealand lobster exported would have been frozen tails sent by sea freight. The shift to live export via air freight means the industry has benefited from an increase in per kilo prices with the added benefit of being able to react quickly to market changes – in this case the re-opening of China after lock-down.”
Overall, Auckland Airport’s international cargo capacity declined 35% year-on-year in May as airlines continued to suspend passenger flights, but month-on-month capacity improved 33% due to more cargo-only flights. In May, 12 airlines operated 307 cargo flights using passenger aircraft, in addition to 117 freighter flights.
“This is consistent with what we’re seeing globally. Looking at the data for May from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global demand for air freight is down around 22% but cargo capacity is down more than 32% meaning there’s a gap between demand and supply.
“It’s the same for the New Zealand market – the crucial cargo capacity provided by passenger aircraft has been parked up and is only being partially backfilled by cargo-only passenger aircraft flights,” said Mr Tasker.
Respiratory equipment is currently an export growth driver, recording a (+329%) year-on-year jump in volumes and continues a trend seen since the outbreak of COVID-19. Air freight volumes of respiratory equipment were up year-on-year 94% in January, +162% in February, +393% in March and +553% in April.
Imports of COVID-19 essentials such as surface cleaners and laptops continued to grow but at a slower rate. As New Zealand came out of lockdown and retailers restocked inventory, imports of textiles, plastic products such as aprons, containers and labware, and sprays and disinfectants showed the biggest growth.
Air freight growth (YoY month of May):
Top export growth
- Respiratory equipment (+257 tonnes, +329%)
- Lamb (+192 tonnes, +137%)
- Lobster (+108 tonnes, +51%)
Top import growth
- Textiles (+179 tonnes, +270%)
- Sprays/disinfectants (+116 tonnes, +2586%)
- Plastic products (+84 tonnes, +25%)
Ends
For further information contact:
Auckland Airport Public Affairs
+64 27 406 3024