The digitalisation of processes to increase efficiencies and decrease cost is one of the main priorities in cold chain logistics, according to Vijan Chetty, Cool Chain Association (CCA) board member, and general manager, Perishable Produce Export Certification Agency (PPECB).“Data analytics and analysis of real-time, accurate and reliable data to enhance decision making is becoming a trend in the sector.”These were important developments, said Eric Mauroux, CCA treasurer, and founder and president at FreshBizDev.“Unlike sea freight, the perishable supply chain by air is fragmented into different contributors including growers, trucking companies, forwarders, handlers, airlines, brokers and importers.“Systems don’t talk to one other sufficiently, no standards are set, and all contributors in the chain are interdependent,” he told Freight News. “We too often work in a corrective mode; we accept spot checks that may be done by using temperature recorders (loggers), but no real temperature and location traceability is available in real time, and no common KPI has been set in the logistics chain to assess the performance of the cool chain.”Despite all this, the cool chain remains key as it has a direct impact on the shelf life of products and therefore on the financial performance of every player.“Considering all this, I believe there is a need to move towards a more efficient cool chain with effective collaboration, innovation and data sharing as key drivers to comply with grower, importer and retailer requirements while enhancing the consumer experience.”Unlike the pharmaceuticals sector, which has taken steps to comply with manufacturers’ requirements by setting standards and certification, the horticultural supply chain still needs to set standards.The International Air Transport Association created the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical and Perishable Logistics (CEIV Pharma and Fresh) to help the entire air cargo supply chain to comply with handling excellence.“The CCA fully supports this initiative and encourages all contributors in the supply chain to move towards industry standardisation,” said Mauroux.According to Chetty, on the sea freight side, the global shortage of containers and reduced turnaround times have been a concern and have put additional pressure on the logistical chain.“In South Africa, in particular, this has been further exacerbated by the delays in ports, often resulting in vessels bypassing South African ports,” he said. “The biggest concern locally for the perishable export industry is the availability of equipment and challenges experienced within South African ports.”Chetty said now more than ever it was essential for the industry to partner with authorities to create digital platforms for the issuance of certificates and official documentation. “It is quickly becoming an opportunity within the industry,” he said, indicating that the industry was seeing year-on-year increases in the storage and transportation of perishable products. The benefits associated with healthy eating during the pandemic had been a major contributing factor to favourable export volumes for producers of these goods, concluded Chetty. The biggest concern locally for the perishable export industry is the availability of equipment and challenges experienced within South African ports.– Vijan Chetty “
