From orchard to export, transporting waxberries is a race against time

HANGZHOU/BERLIN — How long does it take for perishable waxberries to travel over 9,000 kilometers from a tree branch in rural China to a dining table in Germany? Just 48 hours.

In a quiet Frankfurt neighborhood earlier in June, bowls of fresh, jewel-like waxberries glistened with condensation. Curious locals gathered around, drawn by the fruit's deep red hue and glossy sheen. Many enjoyed tasting it for the first time.

"It's unlike anything I've had before," says a German customer, visibly surprised by his first bite. "It's tangy, sweet, very flavorful, and definitely exotic, in the best way."

For others, the taste evokes a sense of nostalgia. "Waxberries were my favorite fruit growing up. The ones I tasted today in Frankfurt are exactly like the ones from my hometown," says Zheng Jianguo, a Chinese national who has lived in Germany for 25 years.

Just 48 hours earlier, these plump, juicy Dongkui waxberries, known for their large size and high sugar content, were clinging to branches at an orchard in Wencheng county, Zhejiang province.

It was early dawn in midsummer, and layers of mist drifted across the terraced slopes as the sun quietly rose. At 6 am, a delivery worker carefully loaded boxes of freshly packed waxberries onto a refrigerated truck. With the clock ticking, the vehicle began racing to the airport, marking the first leg of a 9,000-km journey.

"This shipment marks the first batch of Dongkui waxberries from Wencheng to be exported overseas in 2025, and the first time they're being shipped to Frankfurt," says Zhao Chengdong, a senior official with Wencheng county's Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

To ensure peak freshness, waxberries are swiftly harvested, sorted, packaged, pre-cooled, and transported under tightly controlled cold-chain conditions. " (To transport) fresh fruit is a race against time, and waxberries are especially delicate," Zhao notes. "From orchard to export, every step must be executed with precision."

In recent years, with strong support from the local government, many farmers in Wencheng have embraced advanced techniques in both waxberry cultivation and post-harvest handling.

Among them is Zhao Hanming, head of the Xinmo'er family farm, who leveraged upgraded technology and facilities to successfully register his farm this year as a certified export fruit packaging site. He was also tasked with preparing the waxberries for the shipment to Germany.

"The waxberries are sealed using nitrogen-flush technology, a method that replaces oxygen inside the packaging with nitrogen to slow oxidation and spoiling," Zhao Hanming says. "This helps the berries stay fresh for up to 10 days under refrigeration, allowing customers in Germany to enjoy a taste that's nearly as fresh as the day they were picked in China."

Within four hours after landing at Frankfurt Airport, the waxberries passed inspection, cleared customs, and were ready for market.

Waxberries are one of Wencheng's key agricultural products, and their cultivation supports over 22,000 local farmers.

As output grows, so does the goal to reach overseas markets. In recent years, Wencheng waxberries have been exported to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Cambodia, Italy, and Spain, gradually establishing a presence beyond Asia.

"Next, we plan to bring high-quality yams and glass noodles from Wencheng to tables around the world," says Zhao Chengdong, the senior official.

Xinhua