The China-Laos Railway has significantly boosted fresh vegetable exports from Tonghai County, located in Yunnan Province in Southwest China, according to the Huanqiu website. Fresh vegetables are transported in refrigerated containers to Thailand and Malaysia.
Tonghai is a leading vegetable-producing area with a history of over 2,000 years of vegetable cultivation. The region's unique climate allows local farmers to harvest crops up to 4–5 times a year.
According to Wang Huamin, deputy head of Tonghai County, the vegetable planting area in 2023 reached 19,120 hectares, with a total production of 1.15 million tons. Around 30% of the harvest is exported to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
"Currently, we export more than ten types of vegetables, including broccoli, tomatoes, and Chinese cabbage. Daily shipments reach approximately 100 tons," said Zhang Xiuxiu, general manager of Wanhe, a local import-export company.
Zhang highlighted that since the launch of the railway, cold-chain vegetable transport has become a regular service. The majority of shipments have shifted from road to rail transport.
Tonghai County is home to 37 companies involved in vegetable import and export. The county processes up to 800,000 tons of vegetables annually. Local authorities aim to further develop high-altitude agriculture, leveraging the advantages provided by the China-Laos Railway.
Source: russian.people.com.cn