Guangxi boosts ASEAN fruit trade via RCEP-focused event

An event titled "ASEAN Fruits Gather in Guangxi: Making RCEP Product Purchases Easier and More Enjoyable" was recently launched in Nanning, spurring robust cross-border fruit trade growth and solidifying Guangxi's role as a hub linking ASEAN producers, local distribution, and China's markets.

The "ASEAN Fruits Gather in Guangxi: Making RCEP Product Purchases Easier and More Enjoyable" event takes place on June 18. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

Import volumes have seen remarkable growth. From January to June, Guangxi ports imported 780,000 metric tons of ASEAN fruits, a 50 percent year-on-year increase. June alone recorded 212,000 tons, up 48 percent, highlighting the event's immediate impact.

Star fruit varieties led the surge. In June, durian, mangosteen, lychee, and dragon fruit imports rose by 47.8 percent, 88.4 percent, 113.8 percent, and 162.8 percent respectively. Together, they accounted for 91.5 percent of total ASEAN fruit imports through Guangxi.

Trade channels expanded as well. Qinzhou secured orders for 20,000 tons of ASEAN fruits worth over 500 million yuan ($69.4 million), while a 1.2-million-yuan durian batch is currently clearing customs in Pingxiang, with 1,000 containers of durians worthing 600 million yuan expected to be imported by late July.

Business visitors inspect fruit-related products. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

In addition, regional collaboration has deepened. Sichuan's Pujiang county partnered with Qinzhou to facilitate bilateral trade: Sichuan's citrus exports to ASEAN via Qinzhou Port and ASEAN fruits distributed to southwest China through Qinzhou.

Looking ahead, Guangxi plans to strengthen the China-ASEAN fruit trading center, use AI to boost cooperation, and turn the event into a key consumption brand.