A total of 19,000 metric tons of fruit valued at 140 million yuan ($21.54 million) were imported via ports in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province in the first four months of this year, up 438.6 percent and 81.9 percent respectively. 

In April alone, Ningbo ports imported 14,000 tons of fruit, 10.4 times the amount in the same period last year, official statistics from Ningbo Customs show.

The choice of Ningbo as the entry port is primarily due to its proximity to Jiaxing, a fruit distribution hub in East China, high customs clearance efficiency and good business climate, according to Cai Bona, manager of Ningbo Cosco Shipping Cold Chain Supply Chain Co Ltd.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has also fueled the growth of fruit imports.

The RCEP involves 10 ASEAN member states, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The 15 states account for about 30 percent of the world's total population, gross domestic product and trade. More than 90 percent of goods traded between member countries will eventually be subjected to no tariffs, according to the agreement.

The implementation of the RCEP has waived tariffs levied on fruits imported from Southeast Asia, according to a spokesman at Jianong Food Holdings (Group) Co Ltd.

He cited dragon fruit from Vietnam as an example, saying that the company can save between 10,000 and 15,000 yuan per container after the tariffs are exempted.

Vietnam was the biggest source of fruit imports at Ningbo ports from January to April. Official data shows that the imports of fruit from the Southeast Asian country amounted to 14,000 tons in those months, accounting for 72.6 percent of the city's total.

Presently, customs clearance for fruit imports in Ningbo can be completed within a week.