Enhancing Freshness and Expanding Markets for Ningxia’s Agricultural Produce
Since May, a new air transport route has been facilitating the export of cool-season vegetables from the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operated by flight 3U3781, this service transports six to ten tonnes of vegetables every Thursday from Yinchuan to Dubai, ensuring the produce arrives fresh. Over 80 tonnes of vegetables have already been shipped via this route.
The vegetables, including Chinese broccoli and spinach, are cultivated under conditions favorable for organic agriculture, leveraging Ningxia’s abundant sunshine, cool climate, and clean resources. According to Wei Xinmin of Ningxia Xingyuntian Modern Agricultural Development Company, the produce undergoes a meticulous process of harvesting, cooling, sorting, and packaging before being exported.
Upon arrival in Dubai, the vegetables are distributed to various commercial establishments to meet the local demand for fresh produce. The air transport service, which began in 2015, has significantly boosted Ningxia’s vegetable exports and strengthened trade relations between Ningxia and Middle Eastern countries. Despite higher logistics costs, the venture has proved profitable, and potential expansions into other Middle Eastern markets are being considered.
WenChao Group, a major retailer in Dubai, has reported high demand for Ningxia’s cool-season vegetables, highlighting the success of this export initiative. With Ningxia aiming to expand its vegetable cultivation area and output by 2025, the region is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for its produce in Dubai and potentially other Middle Eastern markets.
