A new chapter in Sino-Indonesian agricultural trade commenced this week with the arrival of Indonesia’s inaugural shipment of frozen durians to China through a newly established direct maritime route. The historic consignment, comprising 23 metric tons of frozen durian flesh and pulp, docked at Qinzhou Port in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
This strategic trade initiative establishes the first dedicated sea corridor for fruit exports between the two nations, significantly reducing transportation time and costs compared to previous multimodal routes. The frozen durians will undergo final processing at Qinzhou’s specialized facilities before distribution across Chinese markets, meeting the growing consumer demand for tropical fruits.
The shipment represents a cornerstone achievement in Qinzhou’s ambitious development plan to position itself as China’s premier ASEAN fruit trading hub. Port authorities have implemented innovative fast-track customs clearance protocols specifically designed for perishable agricultural imports, reducing clearance times by approximately 40% compared to standard procedures.
Industry analysts highlight that this direct route enhances supply chain efficiency while strengthening economic cooperation under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area framework. The corridor is expected to expand beyond durians to include other tropical fruits such as mangosteens, pineapples, and bananas, potentially increasing bilateral agricultural trade volume by an estimated 30% within two years.
The maritime route also aligns with China’s broader Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure investments in Southeast Asia, creating integrated logistics networks that benefit both producers and consumers while setting new standards for cold chain transportation technology.