Fruits & Vegetables by Air Freight to Kazakhstan

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: Air Freight as the Only Option

Fresh fruits and vegetables have a shelf life of days — not weeks. Products such as asparagus, strawberries, mangoes, or avocados from distant origins simply cannot be transported by sea without quality loss. Air freight is the only way to get fresh produce from the field to the supermarket within its product lifecycle.

The Netherlands is the logistics hub of the European fresh produce trade. The proximity to Schiphol Airport, the flower auction in Aalsmeer, and the large cold storage facilities in the Haarlemmermeer area make it the ideal hub for fresh air freight.

Popular Routes

• Kenya, Ethiopia → NL: French beans, sugar snaps, avocados
• Peru, Chile → NL: berries, asparagus, grapes (winter season)
• Morocco → NL: tomatoes, bell peppers (also by road)
• NL → worldwide: Dutch tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries

Exporting to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and a growing market for Dutch machinery, mining equipment, agri-technology, and pharmaceuticals. Schiphol has no direct cargo flights to Kazakhstan — shipments usually transit through Frankfurt (Lufthansa Cargo), Istanbul (Turkish Cargo), or Riga en route to Almaty (ALA) or Astana/Nur-Sultan (NQZ). Regular transit times range from 1 to 3 days.

Customs & Regulations

Kazakhstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and applies the common EAEU tariff rates. Most shipments require ECCN classification and an EAC conformity declaration. Food products, machinery, and electrical equipment require a TR CU (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union) certificate. Customs in Almaty is known for thorough inspections.

Practical Tips

• EAC certification can take weeks to months — plan this well in advance of shipment
• Documentation must be submitted in Russian or Kazakh for local customs clearance
• Additional export licenses from the Netherlands apply for dual-use and mining-related goods

Aircargo.nl has experience with Central Asian routes and works with reliable agents in Almaty. We handle the full documentation chain — including guidance on EAC certification — to ensure smooth processing.

Key Considerations for Fruits & Vegetables Air Freight

Cold Chain

Fresh fruits and vegetables are extremely temperature sensitive. Depending on the product, the optimal transport temperature ranges from 0–1°C (berries, leafy greens) to 10–14°C (tropical fruit). Aircargo.nl arranges specialized cold cargo handling at Schiphol and monitors the temperature chain from start to finish.

Phytosanitary Inspections

All fresh products from non-EU countries undergo phytosanitary inspection upon entry into the EU, which can add 4–8 hours of processing time. Aircargo.nl notifies your shipment in advance to the NVWA to minimize delays.

Customs & Import Duties

Fresh fruits and vegetables fall under the EU Common Customs Tariff (CCT) and may be subject to high seasonal import duties—especially for products competing with EU-grown produce (tomatoes, strawberries, citrus).