Demand for WA perishable goods likely to increase air freight exports

11/9/97

International demand for Western Australian perishable goods such as dairy products, fruit and seafood is expected to push air freight exports from Perth up by 10,000 tonnes in the next few years.

Premier Richard Court, speaking at the International Air Freight Conference in Perth, said export growth of these types of goods had risen significantly and was predicted to take total international air freight from Perth past the 40,000 tonne mark well within the next decade.

In 1977, there was just over 2,000 tonnes of freight exported by air from Western Australia. Last year that figure stood at 27,700 tonnes.

Mr Court said a major catalyst for future growth was the work being carried out by the Air Freight Export Council (AFEC) - which was established by the State Government in 1994 to address concerns that air space capacity was limited.

"Since the council was formed, air freight space out of Perth has increased by more than 30 per cent," he said.

"This has occurred due to a number of initiatives including the establishment by Singapore Airlines of a regular 747 freighter service. In addition, the council played a role in negotiating additional traffic rights for passenger charter services - which provide additional weekly cargo capacity during peak season, and AFEC also successfully negotiated with Indonesian authorities to allow transhipment through Indonesia to other destinations."

Mr Court said the council would continue to address a number of priorities including;

further increasing international air cargo capacity out of Western Australia;

maximising existing cargo capacity;

undertaking research and development into standards of packaging and handling; and -

developing new markets for WA products.

"AFEC is an outstanding example of the Government working with the private sector to develop opportunities for WA business and its success means that local dairy farmers can see their milk sold in Singapore, our lobsters can be sold in Japan and Taiwan, and our fruit and flowers are on sale in Hong Kong," the Premier said.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475