Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has continued to show modest cargo growth throughout the first half of 2013. The total of 736,608 tonnes handled through the airport represents an increase of 1.02% on 2012. Total exports for the first half year rose to 362,124 tonnes, which was a 49.16% share of the total. The proportion of imports fell slightly to 50.84%, with a total of 374,484 tonnes. Schiphol’s largest market remained Asia; the total of 281,410 tonnes (up 3%) was 38.2% of all cargo. Exports to Asia rose 6% to 140,388 tonnes; imports from Asia rose fractionally. North America remained Schiphol’s second largest market, with imports up 3% at 65,282 tonnes and exports down 11% at 60,079 tonnes - resulting in an overall share of 17.02% (down from 17.94% in the same period of 2012). The Middle East moved up to third place, with 38,088 tonnes of imports (up 16%) and 55,294 tonnes of exports (up 4.8%), producing overall growth of 9%. However, the increase in imports was largely due to the entry of various Middle East carriers into the Africa-Amsterdam flower trade, resulting in transhipments via the Middle East and re-classification of some Africa-originating traffic. Africa accordingly slipped to 4th place, with 55,641 tonnes of imports (down 3.8%) and 29,827 tonnes of exports (down 4.4%). Latin America retained 5th position, with 40,492 tonnes of imports (down 4.8%) and 44,555 tonnes of exports (up 3.9%). The apparent reduction in imports chiefly resulted from re-routing of some South  America-originating flights via Miami, resulting in their re-classification as US traffic. Europe saw a small overall gain of 1.28% in the first half year, with a 9.3% fall in imports counteracted by a 12% growth in exports. Says Schiphol Cargo Senior VP Enno Osinga: “2013 is showing a similar pattern to 2012 so far, with an early peak around March. There has been a small decline in freighter flights of around 1%, which reflects the tightening of freighter capacity by some carriers in the face of rising costs and soft rates.”