With decades of experience navigating the intricate dance of global supply chains, Rohit Laila is a true veteran of the logistics industry. His expertise bridges the gap between massive-scale operations and the nuanced care required for the most delicate cargo. In our conversation, we explore the intense coordination behind New Zealand’s festive export boom, delving into how thousands of tonnes of fresh produce reach global tables, the meticulous process for time-sensitive shipments, and the unique challenges of transporting precious live animals.
Your team expects to move nearly 6,000 tonnes of freight this season, with capsicums, cherries, and salmon leading the way. What are the unique logistical challenges for each of these top three products, and how do you coordinate such massive volumes in a short, festive period?
It’s a carefully orchestrated symphony, and each product has its own sheet music. For the 700 tonnes of capsicums, the challenge is sheer volume and preventing bruising. We have to be meticulous with packing and palletizing to ensure they arrive looking as vibrant as when they were picked. With cherries, which account for about 615 tonnes, it’s all about speed and a delicate touch. They have an incredibly short shelf life and are highly susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Finally, the 470 tonnes of salmon are governed by one thing: absolute cold chain integrity. From the moment they leave the water, the clock is ticking, and any break in the temperature-controlled environment can compromise the product, especially for sashimi-grade fish destined for Tokyo. Coordinating this entire 6,000-tonne rush is about proactive planning, securing capacity months in advance, and having our ground teams operate with flawless precision during that critical window.
The content highlights salmon going to Tokyo and premium beef to the US. Could you walk us through the step-by-step process for one of these time-sensitive shipments, detailing the coordination required from farm to destination to ensure freshness and meet holiday demand?
Let’s trace the journey of that premium beef heading to the US for Christmas. The process begins right at the processing plant, where prime cuts are selected and immediately vacuum-sealed and chilled to the precise temperature. They are then packed in specialized, insulated cartons and loaded onto refrigerated trucks that are already scheduled for a specific flight. At our cargo terminal, the shipment is moved directly into a temperature-controlled zone to await loading—it never sits on the hot tarmac. The aircraft’s hold is pre-chilled, and once onboard, the temperature is constantly monitored throughout the flight. Upon landing in the US, the shipment is prioritized for unloading and swiftly cleared through customs, often with pre-filed documentation, before being transferred to another refrigerated truck for final delivery. Every single handover point is a critical link in a chain designed to ensure that steak arrives with the quality and freshness New Zealand is renowned for.
You anticipate a surge in last-minute lobster shipments to China for New Year celebrations. How does your team operationally prepare for these high-value, time-critical demands, and can you share an anecdote about a particularly challenging last-minute request you’ve successfully handled?
Anticipating the unpredictable is the name of the game with high-value cargo like live lobster. Operationally, we prepare by building flexibility into our network. We hold a certain amount of cargo capacity in reserve on key routes to China specifically for these last-minute rushes. Our teams have pre-vetted packaging solutions and are experts in the specific customs paperwork required, which shaves off critical hours. I vividly recall a frantic call a few years ago for a massive lobster order after another carrier had a mechanical failure. It was just days before New Year. We had to shuffle cargo, call in an off-duty crew, and coordinate a special ground transport. The energy was electric. Seeing that plane take off, knowing we were helping uphold a festive tradition for so many families, was a moment of immense pride and a testament to our team’s ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond produce, you transported four blue penguins to a wildlife center. What special protocols and considerations are involved when handling live, precious cargo like this, and how does that process fundamentally differ from shipping 700 tonnes of capsicums?
Shipping live animals, especially rescued ones like those four blue penguins, is a completely different universe from moving produce. With the penguins, our primary concern was their welfare, not just preservation. We collaborated with veterinarians to create a custom-designed, climate-controlled carrier that minimized stress and provided proper ventilation. The entire journey was planned to be as short and smooth as possible, with gentle, quiet handling at every stage. It’s a bespoke, deeply personal process where you feel a profound sense of responsibility for the lives in your care. In contrast, shipping 700 tonnes of capsicums is a masterpiece of operational efficiency and scale. The focus there is on maintaining the cold chain, maximizing space, and ensuring a standardized, repeatable process to handle immense volume. One is about empathy and individualized care; the other is about disciplined, large-scale execution.
What is your forecast for New Zealand’s premium air freight exports over the next few years?
The forecast is exceptionally strong. New Zealand has successfully cultivated a global brand synonymous with premium quality, safety, and natural purity. This isn’t just a fleeting market trend; it’s a deeply embedded reputation that resonates with discerning consumers, particularly in Asia and North America. As global wealth grows and consumers place more value on the origin and quality of their food, the demand for New Zealand’s premium produce, seafood, and meat will only accelerate. We’re not just exporting products; we’re exporting trust. I see sustained growth as our exporters continue to innovate and as we continue to provide the reliable, high-quality logistics that connect their incredible products to the world.
