FRESH FRUIT EXPORT LOGISTICS: DO LOWER FREIGHT RATES REALLY SAVE MONEY?
Continued growth in fruit and vegetable exports calls for closer coordination between harvesting, storage and delivery. For fresh fruit, logistics performance goes beyond freight rates—it also depends on preserving quality and ensuring sufficient shelf life when shipments reach their destination.
Export Growth Raises the Demands on Logistics
Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports are estimated to have exceeded US$8.27 billion in the first ten months of the year, up 17.2% year on year. Demand ahead of the year-end and Lunar New Year holidays in China, other Northeast Asian markets, Europe and the Americas is expected to support sales of dragon fruit, fresh coconuts, pomelos and mangoes.
For fresh fruit exporters, these opportunities come with the need to align deliveries with harvest seasons. Harvesting, packing, phytosanitary inspections and transport must be coordinated from the outset. Otherwise, cargo may be ready to ship while refrigerated equipment is unavailable, documentation remains incomplete or vessel cut-off times have already passed.
Managing Costs Across the Entire Journey
Freight rates are only one part of the cost of getting fruit to buyers. Extended waiting times can lead to additional electricity, terminal storage and container charges while reducing the fruit’s remaining shelf life. Transport options therefore need to be assessed against total costs, delivery times and the specific handling requirements of each shipment.
The cold chain begins well before the container doors close. Shipping line ONE’s guidelines state that perishable cargo should be pre-cooled to the appropriate transport temperature before loading. Reefer containers are primarily designed to maintain that temperature, rather than rapidly cool warm cargo.
Temperature settings, ventilation and cargo stowage must also suit each type of fruit. According to MSC, fresh produce continues to generate heat through respiration during transit. Chilled air must therefore circulate through the cargo to help preserve its quality.
What shippers need is a coordinated plan covering equipment availability, container checks before loading, power supply during inland transport and while awaiting shipment, and a clear point of contact to manage changes to delivery or sailing schedules.
THILOGI: Logistics Services for Fresh Fruit Exports
THILOGI brings together road transport, ocean freight, warehousing, port operations and international freight forwarding to support fresh fruit exports through four core service areas:
- Connecting growing regions with export gateways: A network of branches and offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Gia Lai, Hanoi and Hai Phong supports nationwide transport, alongside cross-border services linking Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
- Specialized refrigerated transport: Reefer containers and GPS-equipped tractor units with dedicated generator sets support shipment tracking and keep refrigeration equipment powered during transit.
- Storage and cold chain infrastructure: Warehouses, depots and reefer plug-in facilities at locations including Bo Y and Le Thanh border gates and Chu Lai International Port support cargo handling, transfer and temperature-controlled storage ahead of export.
- Coordinated export procedures and international transport: Services connect inland transport, customs declarations, assistance with phytosanitary inspections and product testing, and international freight forwarding, according to the agreed scope of each shipment.
Fresh fruit logistics must be planned around growing regions, shipment volumes, loading schedules and destination markets. Coordinating these stages through a single service provider helps exporters manage operations, control costs and respond to disruptions—protecting shipment value and helping them meet commitments to overseas buyers.
Contact THILOGI to develop an efficient, cost-effective logistics solution for your shipments.
Phone: +84 933 800 555
