Australian airfreight imports climb further

Statistics compiled by Maritrade show that import volumes have recovered almost half the ground lost since September, when many economies were hit hardest by the global financial crisis.

Export volumes, after dipping since September, have returned to levels not seen since early 2003.

Both were above 27,000 tonnes in March.

Maritrade director David Bendall said fluctuations in air cargo were a better gauge of consumer demand than seafreight.

"Airfreight is a leading indicator of consumer demand," Mr Bendall said.

"It's more sensitive and dealing with commodities that have a much higher value, compared with the low-value cargo often carried by sea."

Mr Bendall attributes the growth in exports to the continued success of perishables.

Australian fruit exporters had experienced huge growth in markets such as Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Emirates and Thailand.

Seafood exports to Hong Kong, China and the US were also seeing significant growth.

While perishable imports had remained flat, inbound volumes of high-value cargo such as machinery and electricals were performing strongly.

Mr Bendall said Australia appeared to be in "a bubble of its own" at a time when other countries were recording marked falls in airfreight cargo.