Since the outbreak of the global health crisis caused by COVID-19, logistics has become the great ally to ensure the proper functioning of the supply chain. Thanks to transport, the gears that ensure the correct delivery of essential products – food, pharmaceutical or healthcare – continue to work. In this context, cold logistics and the maintenance of products at controlled temperatures play an equally important role in ensuring that all goods arrive in perfect condition.
At RFL, as experts in refrigerated transport and in applying tailor-made logistics solutions, we continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the supply chain does not stop, even in times of coronavirus.
However, cold stores are currently experiencing very high occupancy levels where, in some cases, they range from 80% (the lowest) to 100% and even 120% capacity. These are the data from Aldefe, the association of the sector, which explains these figures by the stagnation of the warehouses that offered service to the Horeca channel (restoration) before the crisis and also by the enormous rotation of the products in the platforms destined to the food distribution. The latter situation is caused by the large volume of storage to maintain the tension of the supply chain and avoid the breakage of stock.
Cost of return of empties
Another aspect that is currently affecting the industry is the return cost of empty transports. Many transporters are increasingly avoiding leaving the Iberian Peninsula and planning long-distance trips due to empty returns. In turn, many central European carriers have also refused to operate in Italy or Spain, the main countries on the European continent affected by the coronavirus pandemic. These professionals also have to deal with border closures, roadblocks, extra documentation requirements or the problem of the absence of service stations on most major European roads.
Exports and imports
According to some producers, at the beginning of the health crisis there was an unusual demand, which has subsequently fallen sharply not only internally (Spain), but also throughout Europe. This has resulted in a slight drop in the level of exports and imports of products that require cold logistics.
The European Union is the main destination for Spanish fruit and vegetable exports. Germany, France and the United Kingdom are the main destination countries in both segments. On the other hand, Morocco concentrates 18% of total imported fruit and 48% of vegetables in Spain.
