19 Aug 2014 07:00
19 August 2014
AfriAg plc
("AfriAg" or the "Company")
Six month trading update on AfriAg SA's airfreight operations.
AfriAg (AIM: AFRI) is pleased to provide an update to shareholders on the airfreight section of the agri-logistics operations of AfriAg SA (Pty) Ltd ("AfriAg SA"), AfriAg's 40% South African owned agri-logistics unit, for the 6 month period from the 1 January 2014 to the 30 June 2014.
Airfreight Logistics Summary:
A total of approximately 650,000 kg of perishable produce was air freighted by AfriAg SA for the first 6 month period of 2014 from 1 January to 30 June, in what is typically the quietest half of the year for perishable airfreight.
The second 6 month period has commenced well with approximately 151,000 kg of perishables airfreighted for the month of July, being 247% over July 2013 numbers.
The majority of these perishable goods were trucked by AfriAg's fleet of refrigerated trucks from farming operations in Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa and exported from Africa to Europe and Asia from Johannesburg and Cape Town international airports.
The main perishable goods flown to Europe included mange tout, sugar snaps, baby corn and chillies with langoustines and lobsters comprising the main airfreight in to Asia (Singapore and Hong Kong).
David Lenigas, Executive Chairman of AfriAg, commented:
"This is an excellent performance for the first 6 months of the year, especially considering that itis typically the quietest period for agricultural exports from Southern Africa. The majority of airfreighted perishable goods are harvested and exported in the second 6 month period due to the seasonal differences between southern Africa and the northern hemisphere."
"We look forward to stronger airfreight performances from AfriAg SA as we come into the typically busy airfreight periods of the 3 months leading up to Christmas."
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For further information please contact:
AfriAg plc: +44 (0) 20 7440 0640
David Lenigas
Donald Strang
Nominated Adviser and Broker:
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP +44 (0) 20 7148 7900
James Caithie / Jo Turner / Carolyn Sansom
Public Relations:
Square1 Consulting +44 (0) 20 7929 5599
David Bick
Mark Longson