In Jinglai Village, Menghai County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, freshly harvested vegetables are transported across the border through a designated "green channel" to neighbouring markets. Farmers in the area report consistent demand from Myanmar for Chinese produce.
In recent years, fruits and vegetables from Yunnan have increased in presence across ASEAN markets. Grapes, citrus, mushrooms, and other products are leading exports. According to Kunming Customs, Yunnan's agricultural trade with ASEAN reached US$2.62 billion in the first half of 2025, up 23.5 percent year on year. Fruit exports alone rose by 44.3 percent in the same period.
Zhang Shengping, deputy director of the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, explained: "Yunnan's low-latitude plateau offers abundant sunlight and biodiversity, allowing year-round production of tropical and temperate fruits." Harvests from Yunnan complement ASEAN production cycles, creating supply during seasonal gaps.
The province is also a major vegetable producer. Its southern valleys supply summer vegetables in winter, while highland areas supply winter vegetables in summer. Wang Tao from the provincial department of commerce noted: "This allows continuous supply throughout the year."
Logistics have supported the export growth. The China-Laos Railway and simplified customs procedures have reduced transport times compared to road freight. In August, a "Luliang Vegetable" cold-chain train carried fresh produce from Qujing to Bangkok, while return trips brought tropical fruit such as durians to China. Another cold-chain train shipped more than 400 tons of vegetables from Yuxi to Thailand in three days. Multimodal transport by rail, road, and sea now connects Yunnan produce to Singapore and beyond.
The China-Laos Railway, linked with the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Europe Railway Express, covers 31 provincial-level regions in China and 19 countries, including Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. According to Zhao Ziqi of Honghe Dayou Trading Co., "Citrus exported from Mengzi can reach Vietnamese consumers the same day it's shipped."
Policy measures are also being implemented. In August, Yunnan introduced steps to improve tax administration and expand exports of highland products such as tea, flowers, coffee, mushrooms, and nuts. New rules for the China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone came into effect in September, aimed at encouraging new trade models, cooperation with neighbouring countries, and cross-border labour programs.
China remains the world's largest fruit producer and consumer. Under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Belt and Road framework, Yunnan is increasing its role as a production and export base. While exporting to ASEAN, Yunnan also imports fruit from Thailand and Vietnam, establishing a two-way trade corridor.
Source: Xinhua