Frankfurt Airport’s 9,000m sq perishables cargo terminal is to be expanded by a further 2,500m sq in order to accommodate a steady growth in traffic of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and flowers.

The extension is expected to be complete by mid-2008.

The terminal handled a total of 130,000 tonnes of perishables in 2006, 25 per cent of which consisted of fruits and vegetables. Other main products categories were fish and meat (35 per cent of the total), flowers and plants (20 per cent) and ornamental fish and miscellaneous (5 per cent).

Total storage space is divided into 18 different temperature zones. Temperature levels range from -24-+24oC to meet the individual temperature requirements of the different product categories.

Built in the mid-1990s and open round the clock with direct airside access, the centre employs around 100 permanent staff.

Shareholders include Nagel & Co OHG, LUG Aircargo Handling GmbH and Frankfurt airport’s operating company, Fraport AG.