A plane carrying fresh Malaysian durians arrives in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, on Aug 27. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A shipment of 3.32 metric tons of fresh durians made its journey from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, on Aug 27.

The cargo was carried by Raya Airways' Flight TH768, which touched down at Ningbo Lishe International Airport at 3:40 am, marking the establishment of a new air route dedicated to transporting fresh durians between Kuala Lumpur and Ningbo.

Unlike the usual imports of frozen durians or derivative products, this consignment marked the debut of fresh Malaysian durians in the East China market. Noteworthy among the varieties included in this shipment were the highly-coveted Musang King and Black Thorn durians.

Scheduled to operate three times a week, the air route aims to expand the selection of durian cultivars and other local fruits as the trading landscape evolves. The initiative not only promises an expanded array of fruit choices for consumers but also stimulates further economic and trade engagements between China and Malaysia.

Recognized as a quintessential fruit of Southeast Asia, the durian holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese consumers due to its unique flavor profile and rich nutritional benefits. The recent approval by the General Administration of Customs of China in June to allow the entry of fresh Malaysian durians meeting specific standards has sparked excitement among durian enthusiasts in the country.

The natural ripening of the durians on trees has resulted in a brief window of peak ripeness for consumption, necessitating swift customs clearance procedures. In response to this, Ningbo Customs at the airport has established a dedicated green channel for perishable goods, deploying plant quarantine experts for real-time inspections to ensure smooth and prompt clearance without any delays.

Ningbo Lishe International Airport currently operates full freighter cargo flights connecting a myriad of destinations such as Chicago, New York, Hanoi, and Seoul, facilitating the transportation of fresh seafood staples like lobsters and crabs into this vibrant port city.