Customs officers from Wenzhou check waxberries grown at high altitudes in Wencheng. [Photo/WeChat account: wcbst66]
A refrigerated container truck loaded with over four metric tons of waxberries grown at high altitudes in Wencheng set off from the county recently, heading to Xiamen Port in Fujian province, before being shipped to Sihanoukville Port in Cambodia.
The delivery marks the first time that Wenzhou's waxberries have been exported via sea freight, providing valuable experience for future exports of fresh agricultural products from Wenzhou.
Wencheng high-altitude waxberries began being exported to European countries such as Italy and Spain a few years ago. However, due to the high preservation requirements, exports had to be carried out via air freight, resulting in sky-high transportation costs, almost exceeding the price of the fruit.
The decision to export the waxberries to Cambodia via this new route was primarily driven by the larger capacity of sea freight exports and the significantly lower shipping costs compared to air freight.
"Although it takes about four days for the berries to reach Cambodia by sea, the entire process is protected by a cold chain, ensuring the quality of the exported fruits," said the person in charge.
The waxberries from Wencheng come from Tulong Mountain, which is located at an altitude of over 700 meters. This late-ripening variety is known for its sweet taste and juicy flesh. A total of 2,200 boxes, amounting to 4.07 tons, were shipped to Cambodia.
Waxberries are highly popular in Southeast Asia and European countries. The waxberries from Wencheng consist of about 40 berries per kilogram and command a market price of around 180 yuan ($25.1) per kg. In the European and American markets, the price can be even higher, exceeding 10 yuan per fruit.
In recent years, Wencheng has been vigorously developing waxberry cultivation, and the current plantation area in the county has reached 4,333 hectares. Wencheng is also known for its staggered picking times, where orchards are harvested at different times based on their altitude, effectively extending the harvest period of waxberries.
Waxberries planted in Wencheng. [Photo/WeChat account: wcbst8]
