The use of aircraft to
transport
fruit
and
vegetables
to countries where
such
plants hardly grow or are out of season has become more common in recent years. Some people think that
this
is a positive development,
while
others argue that it has negative consequences. In
this
essay, I will discuss both views and give my own opinion.
On the one hand, there are several reasons why some people consider it a good idea to
transport
fruit
and
vegetables
by
air
.
Firstly
, it allows consumers to enjoy a wider variety of fresh produce throughout the year, regardless of the local climate and season.
This
can lead to a more balanced and nutritious diet,
as well as
satisfying the demand for exotic and diverse foods.
Secondly
, it can benefit the economies of developing countries that export their agricultural products to more affluent markets.
For example
, Kenya earns about $1 billion annually from exporting flowers, mostly by
air
, to
.
Thirdly
, it can help to ensure
food
security and reduce
food
waste in regions that are prone to natural disasters, conflicts, or other disruptions to
food
production.
For instance
, after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the World
Food
Programme used
air
transport
to deliver emergency
food
aid to the affected areas2.
On the other hand
, there are
also
several drawbacks of transporting
fruit
and
vegetables
by
air
.
Firstly
, it has a significant impact on the environment, as it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
According to
a study by the University of Manchester,
air
transport
of
food
emits about 50 times more carbon dioxide than sea transport3.
Secondly
, it can increase the price of fresh produce for consumers, especially those in low-income households, as
air
freight is more expensive than other modes of
transport
.
For example
, a kilogram of asparagus imported by
air
from Peru costs about $26 in the UK, compared to $4 for the same amount grown locally4.
Thirdly
, it can undermine the local
food
systems and cultures, as it creates a dependence on imported foods and reduces the incentive to support local farmers and producers.
For example
, some critics argue that importing quinoa, a staple
food
for many Andean communities, by
air
to Western countries has led to social and economic problems for the local people5.
In conclusion, I believe that transporting
fruit
and
vegetables
by
air
has both advantages and disadvantages, and the decision to do so should be based on a careful assessment of the costs and benefits for both the producers and the consumers. Personally, I think that
air
transport
should be used sparingly and selectively
,Remove the comma
show examples
and that more efforts should be made to promote local and seasonal
food
production and consumption.