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DHL helps Australia to Import Goods

By Rajiv MenonAustralia
2 min read
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In this article (5)

DHL Global Forwarding has been selected to be part of new air freight network launched by the Australian government to bridge air freight capacity gap.

The Australian Department of Agriculture has identified supply chain disruptions as the biggest threat to farmers and fishermen in the country, where around 65% of agricultural products are exported, with a majority going to China, Japan, the United States, South Korea and several Asia Pacific countries.

DHL Global Forwarding Australia reveals that virtually all of its high-value perishables exports, including fruits, vegetables, pre-marinated and fresh meat, seafood and dairy products, are now catered to food retail businesses such as supermarkets. This is in contrast to the pre-COVID supply chain distribution dominated by wholesale networks where some 70% of the company’s food exports typically go to foodservice businesses.

DHL Global Forwarding, the leading international provider of air, sea and road freight services, has been appointed to be part of the new air freight network established by the government to facilitate international freight as commercial airlines tepidly return to normalcy.  The network will allow the Government’s $110 million International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) to ramp-up assistance to exporters and re-establish global supply chains, in turn also assisting importers of essential goods, such as healthcare supplies, personal protective equipment, automobile spare parts, and construction and manufacturing materials.

This is in contrast to the pre-COVID supply chain distribution dominated by wholesale networks where some 70% of the company’s food exports typically go to foodservice businesses.

Bernie Cooney, Perishables and Livestock Manager, DHL Global Forwarding Australia commented: “In perishables logistics, time is of the essence as fresh meats and produce need to arrive with their freshness and quality intact, and that is now possible as we can secure capacity through the air freight network for our customers. We are working towards restoring supply chains for all our customers. We are hopeful that with these measures, we can start to restore some of the pre-COVID volumes for perishable exports, and more if the Asian markets start to open up again once containment measures prove successful.”

Import of much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essentials to keep businesses going

In addition to the export of high-value perishables, DHL Global Forwarding is supporting the Australian Government IFAM program with the import of critical products like PPE and other essential goods.

George Lawson, Country Manager of DHL Global Forwarding Australia added: “Trade, which is the lifeblood of our economy, has been heavily impacted by travel restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. As the market leader in the export of premium agricultural products and the import of healthcare, technology and infrastructure goods, we are uniquely positioned to support the Australian Governments IFAM program in jumpstarting trade activity. With our team of global trade experts, worldwide network and digital solutions, our aim is to improve lives by keeping Australian businesses running.”

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary purpose of the new air freight network launched by the Australian government?

A.

The air freight network aims to bridge the air freight capacity gap and facilitate international freight. It allows the government's IFAM mechanism to assist exporters, re-establish global supply chains, and help importers of essential goods.

Q.

How has DHL Global Forwarding's distribution model for food exports changed since pre-COVID times?

A.

Before COVID, about 70% of DHL's food exports typically went to foodservice businesses via wholesale networks. Now, virtually all high-value perishables are directed to food retail businesses such as supermarkets.

Q.

What specific types of essential goods is DHL Global Forwarding helping to import into Australia under the IFAM program?

A.

DHL Global Forwarding is assisting with the import of critical products such as healthcare supplies, personal protective equipment, automobile spare parts, and construction and manufacturing materials under the IFAM program.

Q.

Which specific Asian markets is DHL Global Forwarding hopeful will open up to help restore export volumes?

A.

The article mentions that a majority of Australian agricultural products are exported to China, Japan, South Korea, and several Asia Pacific countries. DHL is hopeful these Asian markets will open up.

Reader pulse

Does this partnership sufficiently address supply chain risks for Australian retailers?

24,303 votes so far

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