Lusaka Airport attracts dedicated freighters
Container trade between Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa is growing but remains heavily imbalanced, with June volumes from LatAm to Africa at 37,500
Lusaka Airport is attracting dedicated freighter capacity from two very different airlines, raising questions over ...
Brazilian forwarders are optimistic about trade opportunities with Africa, but this optimism has not yet translated into consistent, high-volume container flows. Data from Container Trades Statistics (CTS) shows that after a strong start to 2026, volumes from Latin America to Sub-Saharan Africa have become inconsistent, with a 4.6% year-on-year decline in June.
Forwarders in Brazil, however, told The Loadstar they see a better picture on specific commodities. One noted they ship more than 3,000 containers of sugar per month on the route to Africa. This is an ongoing deal and we are moving that amount every month for the entire year, the forwarder said. The problem we're having is that space is always a challenge due to being over-weight, but it is a firm business.
Volatile monthly performance
The June decline follows a volatile pattern in the trade lane. Volumes climbed 8.6% year-on-year in May, which itself followed a 10.2% downturn in April. A source suggested that part of it is the war in Middle East and all the uncertainty affecting trade patterns.
In the opposite direction, the traffic is minimal. Sub-Saharan Africa's exports to Latin America reached just 2,700 twenty-foot equivalent units (teu) in June, despite a 4% year-on-year increase. A Latin America-based forwarder stated plainly that they don't really see much coming back. This compares to the 37,500 teu that moved from Latin America to Africa in the same period.
| Trade Direction | June Volume (teu) | Year-on-Year Change (June) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latin America to Sub-Saharan Africa | 37,500 | -4.6% | Follows an 8.6% increase in May |
| Sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America | 2,700 | +4% | From a much lower base |
South Africa's trade deficit with Brazil
Sources pointed to South Africa's persistent and massive trade deficit with Brazil as a notable feature, given South Africa's economic size. One source indicated that efforts are underway to reduce this imbalance as part of bilateral initiatives to foster greater trade between the two countries.
Improving air connections
Beyond ocean freight, air connections are also improving to support trade. Latam Airlines has begun a thrice-weekly service between Cape Town and São Paulo, providing additional capacity for shippers moving goods between South Africa and Brazil. The service offers an alternative for time-sensitive cargo amid the challenges of securing consistent ocean freight space.
