After a one-month journey from New Zealand through the Panama Canal, the ship docked in Zeebrugge last Monday morning, marking the beginning of the fruit season, during which new fruits will arrive weekly until October. Over the course of the season, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will handle 165,000 pallets according to their statements. This amounts to a total of around two billion kiwis for the European market.
The kiwis are quickly unloaded, sorted, packed, and subjected to a quality check before being transported further. From Zeebrugge, the fruits reach most European supermarkets within 48 hours by train, inland ship, or truck.
Handling of 14.5 million tons of perishable goods
As a European hub for fruit, it plays an important role in the global supply chain for fresh produce. Approximately 65 percent of Zespri's kiwis destined for Europe are handled in Zeebrugge, where both conventional and palletized goods, as well as refrigerated containers, can be handled.
The port's infrastructure includes 175,000 pallet spaces for chilled and frozen products. This corresponds to a temperature-controlled area of around 50 football fields. In 2024, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 14.5 million tons of perishable goods, including one billion kilograms of fruit.
Zeebrugge is an important hub for a variety of fresh products from around the world such as bananas, mangoes, pineapples, melons, and citrus fruits. Imports mainly come from Latin America and Africa.
