The China-Laos Railway transformed fruit supply lines and facilitated fast delivery from Southeast Asian nations to Chinese markets. The railroad ensures sustainable durian supply, minimizes transportation costs, and improves international trading efficiency for consumers and farmers.

Railway boosts Southeast Asian fruit trade to China
Photo: VCG

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Railway improves supply and cold supply chains

At Kunming’s Logistics Centre, cold-chain trucks laden with durian are transferred from trains at a blistering pace. Meanwhile, facilities offer storage, packaging, and delivery, allowing almost 18 tonnes of fruit to transfer to markets in less than an hour.

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The Lancang-Mekong Express carries fruits from Vientiane to Kunming in 26 hours. Therefore, transit times have significantly fallen in comparison with sea and land routes but have kept the quality of the fruit and lowered chances of delays due to weather or rot.

Railway reduces costs and boosts trade volume

Authorities elaborated that the new route lowers damage rates and import costs of fruits. In addition, the system provides fixed schedules, swift customs clearance, and guaranteed connections, favoring Chinese buyers and exporters.

Importers project a 20 percent volume increase in 2025. Meanwhile, more than 150,000 tonnes of durian have been imported due to that corridor so far, which means a 91 percent year-on-year increase of global agricultural cargos.

Expanding routes and diversifying imports

Currently, there are five integrated rail-road lines providing tropical fruits across China. A consignment of 300 tonnes of durian has just reached Chengdu and was forwarded nationwide. Importers will similarly use the identical supply-chain system for importing mangosteen and longan.

Officials also confirmed that larger facilities and wider distribution would increase supply security. Therefore, Chinese consumers will enjoy greater availability of more tropical products at lower prices, increasing the role of international rail transportation in global food commerce.

How does the Railway contribute to Southeast Asian fruit trade?

The Railway reduces shipping times, cuts costs, and preserves freshness, enabling more volume of durian and other produce to reach Chinese markets efficiently and reliably.

What benefits do logistics hubs for this trade provide?

Cold-chain storage, packaging, and fast transfer movements are made possible by them. Large consignments are shifted from trains to lorries within less than 40 minutes for fast delivery.

What products come after durian in such supply chains?

Importers will diversify products to accommodate mangostean and longan. Category diversification will see more tropical fruits enter Chinese markets at favorable prices.

Source: en.people.cn

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