Pictured: Steven Polmans, Chairman of TIACA
The project was developed in collaboration with the Cool Chain Association (CCA) and the Humanitarian Logistics Association (HLA) to optimise air cargo’s potential to deliver life-saving medicines and support local agricultural economies in low- and middle-income countries.
Using the expertise of pharmaceutical logistics, humanitarian supply chains and temperature-sensitive freight, the project will analyse global air cargo movements, assess their economic impact and evaluate their role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Frank Van Gelder, Secretary General of Pharma.Aero said: “We, at Pharma.Aero, recognised a critical gap and initiated this project to use air cargo as a dual-purpose tool: flying in life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies while flying out perishable agricultural products—like fruits, vegetables, and flowers—from local farmers to Western markets.”
Steven Polmans, Chairman of TIACA added: “The completion of our Global Market Evolution Analysis marks a major milestone in understanding how perishable goods and pharmaceuticals move, especially in regions where access means everything. From Kenya’s flower exports supporting millions of jobs to India’s seafood sector driving billions in trade, our work confirms that airfreight is a catalyst for opportunity, health, and resilience.”
The associations say that the Food and Farm for Health initiative reinforces their shared mission to support equitable and sustainable access to healthcare and economic resilience globally.
Ian Buck, Board Member of the CCA said: “Aligning healthcare providers in their mission to provide lifesaving treatments and preventative medicines to developing and emerging regions, and in turn giving those regions an economic reach for their home grown and produced perishable products is the balance we seek.”
George Fenton, CEO of HLA added: “The air cargo industry is vital to the fast delivery of humanitarian aid, yet the last mile is still the greatest challenge. The Food and Farm for Health project will provide valuable insights to support effective, sustainable, change through improved cross-sector coordination, collaboration and knowledge sharing.”