DHL Integrated Perishables Into Global Operations
The logistics firm has moved to manage its temperature-sensitive shipping operations as a unified global pillar.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Do you feel the cost of imported goods is becoming more expensive in your area?
DHL Global Forwarding has integrated its perishables business into a centralized global strategy to offer more comprehensive end-to-end solutions. This shift follows significant organic growth within the division as air freight activity continues to increase.
Why it matters
Managing perishables as a global pillar allows for greater consistency in cold chain handling and reduces dependency on individual airline infrastructure. This strategy provides clients with more reliable solutions as air freight markets begin to stabilize.
The Schiphol warehouse facility spans 24,000 m² and features 38 loading docks. Within this hub, the dedicated perishables department occupies 1,300 m² of temperature-controlled space equipped with 24/7 monitoring.
The players
DHL Global Forwarding
This is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group that provides international air and ocean freight services.
Sico van der Horst
He has served as the Business Development Manager for the perishables department since early 2025.
The details
By shifting from a country-by-country management model to a global strategy, DHL aims to streamline cold chain handling in-house. This operational change is designed to mitigate challenges such as high fuel surcharges and capacity constraints on routes to the Middle East.
Timeline
January 2025: Sico van der Horst began his role as Business Development Manager.
October 2024: The Schiphol headquarters facility was officially opened.
September 2026: Air freight activity experienced a notable market upturn.
Q4 2026: The company expects the current growth in volume to continue.
Culture Shift
The centralizing of perishables logistics reflects a broader shift toward end-to-end supply chain control in the global shipping industry. As market demand evolves, firms are prioritizing proprietary temperature-controlled assets to bypass capacity bottlenecks and rising fuel costs.
The centralization of cold chain logistics may eventually lead to more consistent availability and quality for consumers purchasing perishable international goods. Shoppers should anticipate these infrastructure improvements to potentially offset some of the volatility caused by high air freight rates.
The takeaway
Centralizing logistics for sensitive goods helps companies better manage complex supply chains in an unpredictable global market. Businesses that invest in in-house cold chain infrastructure are better positioned to maintain stability when air freight costs fluctuate.
Further reading
For more on the logistical challenges of keeping temperature-sensitive goods fresh, visit our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Horti Daily.
Live Poll
Do you feel the cost of imported goods is becoming more expensive in your area?
