Fruit imports to Macao have increased from January to June due to a customs agreement with Zhuhai, a coastal city in western Guangdong province. Official data shows 117.39 tonnes were transported across this new channel, with a 532% year-on-year rise evident in Q2 alone.
This growth is attributed to a memorandum of understanding between Gongbei Customs in Zhuhai and the Macao Municipal Affairs Bureau, implemented in January. The agreement aims to streamline inspection, quarantine, and supervisory procedures for imported fruits, fostering economic and trade cooperation in the Greater Bay Area.
The fast-track channel facilitates the import of tropical fruits such as pineapples, coconuts, and mangosteens from countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam to Macao via Zhuhai.
Wang Guangsheng, a manager at Zhuhai Mingkang Fruit and Vegetable Distribution Company, stated, "Fruits arriving at the Zhuhai port from overseas can be transported to Macao within two hours after being sorted in the cold storage."
This expedited process maintains quality and broadens the market for high-end supermarkets and hotels in Macao, according to Wang.
Source: China Daily