To give an idea, a mixed load of fresh produce (veg and fruit), flowers and fish from NBO/EBB to Europe can achieve something like US$1.75 a kg, depending availability and demand, sometimes falling as low as US$1.45 p/kg.
During high demand season Nov - Jan it can go to US$ 2.40 p/kg.
Same out of JNB to Europe on mainline freighters and underbelly achieves maybe only .85 US Cents.
Then you have mainline carriers like newer entrant in Africa cargo scene like Singapore that hub in UAE and connect from there for even less.
Mainline carriers are prepared to take any cargo just to help pay return-leg fuel: thats where problem lays.
Forget published rates - this is the reality!
Its time for the socondary cargo industry to bite and grit, and to boycot this cargo to force the growers, exporters and retailers in Europe to realise what the cost of air transport is.
Cheap fuel in Benghazi is long gone, and from 1 Jul2008 fuel price in Khartoum is virtualy doubling in price. It has become impossible for secondary operators to continue flying at the prices that the exporters and importers want to pay, anybody so foolish will bite the dust.
After all, its not a crime to make a small profit.