At the Southeast Asian fruit distribution center of the Chengdu International Railway Port, containers of durians are being unloaded. According to logistics staff, this batch of fruit arrived via the China-Laos Railway. Since the start of 2025, a total of 175 shipments of durians have reached Chengdu, Sichuan Province, by train.
"Fresh Thai durians are loaded in Vientiane, Laos, and complete the entire journey to Chengdu within just 72 hours," said Chen Chuan, chairman of Chengdu LandPort New Corridor International Trade Co., Ltd. He explained that the fruit is delivered directly to domestic markets.
Compared with sea transport, the cold-chain express service on the China-Laos Railway shortens transit time by around 70 percent and reduces costs by about 50 percent compared to air freight, Chen added.
The distribution center plans to import 8,000 tonnes of fresh durians annually, with trade value expected to exceed 200 million yuan (US$28 million). Over the next three to five years, it aims to become the largest Southeast Asian fruit distribution hub in southwest China.
The durian shipments illustrate the growing role of the Chengdu International Railway Port in handling cold-chain produce. The facility also manages the distribution of other Southeast Asian fruits, moving them swiftly from source countries to Chinese markets.
According to the railway port, a fully integrated supply chain has been established, covering overseas procurement, cross-border transport, and domestic distribution. This system allows imported fruit such as durians to reach end markets efficiently and at a lower cost compared with traditional routes.
Chengdu's Qingbaijiang district continues to promote the railway port as a key inland hub for agricultural imports, supported by the China-Laos route and connections to ASEAN markets. The railway network links Chengdu with 126 overseas cities, and the provincial government has announced a three-year action plan to expand coverage to more than 130 cities by 2027. The plan targets management of over one million TEUs of cargo annually, with the port aiming to reinforce its role as a central hub for fruit trade and cold-chain logistics.
Source: Xinhua