New tech keeps Wushan plums in crisp condition

CHONGQING－This summer, foodies in Singapore got their first taste of the crisp plums grown deep in the mountains of Chongqing municipality.

Known for its juicy and tender flesh, the crisp plum is one of three main fruits grown in Wushan county. There are about 20,000 hectares currently under cultivation, and the fruit has played a vital role in boosting rural vitalization in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

But for a long time, it was difficult to transport the popular plum over long distances.

"On the one hand, we had little understanding of overseas markets. On the other, the Wushan crisp plum is delicate and so more difficult to transport," said Wang Chenyu, general manager of a cold chain logistics company in Chongqing. He said that the fruit must be kept at temperatures of between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius, and should be shipped within a 5- to 7-day period.

The turning point came this year. Just before harvest season, a team was set up with the support of local authorities and a number of departments under the aegis of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, to facilitate export.

Launched in 2015, the initiative is an intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore mainly focused on financial services, air transportation, logistics, and information communication.

The simplified clearance procedures, customized courier service and strict quality controls established under the initiative have substantially improved export prospects for the fragile fruit.

In late July, 300 kilograms of crisp plums were flown directly from Chongqing to Singapore. The trip took about four hours.

"This summer, we sent two shipments of crisp plums to Singapore," Wang said.

He added that a new land-sea transport route is under discussion, which should result in the fruit being sent via the Beibu Gulf in southern Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region or via Shenzhen in Guangdong province by cold chain truck, and then on to Singapore by sea.

"Logistics costs will be greatly reduced compared to the current land-air price," Wang said.

The new route has become feasible thanks to new equipment developed by the School of Electrical Engineering at Chongqing University, which significantly prolongs the freshness of crisp plums.

"The new technology can extend storage from just 4 to 5 days to two weeks," said Wang, who believes this lays a solid foundation for the sale of Wushan crisp plums to more overseas markets.

Zhou Yangchun, director of Wushan county's Commission of Commerce, said, "After the two shipments, we have received several new orders from dealers in Singapore, which shows that Wushan crisp plums are appreciated, and gives us the confidence to increase exports."

Xinhua