The airfreight of cut flowers from Africa, current practice and future possibilities

The typical temperature profiles achieved in the airfreight of cut flowers indicate a lack of temperature control but also insufficient initial cooling of the consignment. The potential areas of difficulty are seen as lack of temperature monitoring, high temperatures on arrival at the airport, poor facilities and/or management for cooling and holding, freight handling and transfer and the lack of temperature control during the flight. The potential use of temperature time indicators and insulated containers are discussed.