Supply Chain Research

NYK plans to expand its refrigerated container fleet by 13%, following similar moves by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, in response to increasing demand for Latin American fruit in Asia. Panjiva data shows fruit exports by seven central- and south-American countries to Asia increased 31% in the third quarter, and by 10% on a 12 month basis vs. a year earlier. This was led by a 32% annualized increase in fruit such as pineapples and avocados (HS 0804) while citrus fruit increased 15% and grapes fell 5%. The largest target markets are for HS 0804 products in Japan, followed by grapes in China and ...