7 Oct 2013 14:00
7 October, 2013
AfriAg plc
("AfriAg" or the "Company")
AfriAg moves first early season stone fruits
by air from South Africa to UK
AfriAg (AIM: AFRI), announces that Australian-based United Exports Pty Ltd, a leading supplier of Southern African stone fruits to major European retailers, has contracted with AfriAg (Pty) Ltd ("AfriAg SA"), AfriAg's 40% owned logistics unit (collectively with the Company, the "AfriAg Group") to exclusively manage the logistical movement of the first of South Africa's new season stone fruits. The AfriAg Group will be utilising IAG Cargo's perishable air freight capacity to the UK.
David Lenigas, AfriAg's Chairman, commented:
"South Africa is a significant grower and exporter of stone fruits, most of which are exported by sea. The early season stone fruits are generally flown to Europe and we are pleased to manage exclusively the air freight and handling of such a large quantity of fresh produce that sees these fruits delivered to the shelves of the UK's largest retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, ASDA and Sainsbury only days after being picked."
"Even though the peak season for stone fruit by air will be the next eight weeks in the lead up to the Christmas holidays, we expect that there will be a continuity of air freight right through until the end of January supplying speciality lines which require the best-in-season by air."
AfriAg SA expects to move over 500,000kg of peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums by air over the next 8 weeks from South Africa, all of which are destined for the major UK retailers' shelves.
With the European stone fruit season coming to a close and almost no sea freight having been loaded out of South Africa as yet, AfriAg expects strong demand for air freighted product until the sea freight produce arrives.
United Exports has the exclusive rights to the unique "OZ" range of Stonefruit and Blueberries for Southern Africa. The genetics have been recognised as a breakthrough in low chill production, which has closed the supply gap between the Northern and Southern hemisphere seasons.
The AfriAg Group is using IAG Cargo's British Airways fleet, the Company's stated airline of choice, to move this important early season and high value fresh produce.
For further information please contact:
AfriAg plc: +44 (0) 20 7440 0640
David Lenigas/Donald Strang
Nominated Adviser and Broker:
Allenby Capital Limited +44 (0) 20 3328 5656
Nick Athanas/Nick Harriss/Michael McNeilly
Public Relations:
Square1 Consulting +44 (0) 20 7929 5599
David Bick/Mark Longson