New all-rail cold chain speeds Thai durians to China in record time

A new all-rail cold-chain service linking China, Laos and Thailand has begun operations. The first shipment, carrying fresh Thai durians, departed on Monday. This route aims to speed up fruit deliveries while keeping produce at peak freshness through a controlled cold-chain system. The service runs entirely by rail, starting in Thailand's key durian-growing regions near Laem Chabang. It passes through Nong Khai in Thailand, Vientiane South in Laos, and Mohan port in China's Yunnan province before reaching Chengdu International Railway Port. The closed-loop cold chain maintains a steady 13°C from loading to unloading, ensuring quality upon arrival.

Demand for Southeast Asian fruit in China has surged this year. Tianbao Customs processed 14,000 tons of ASEAN fruit imports in the first two months—over four times the volume from the same period last year. Durian imports through Yunnan ports alone hit 2.05 billion yuan, a 351.6% increase year-on-year. Chengdu's railway port has also seen fruit imports from the region exceed 100 million yuan ($13.9 million). The new corridor is expected to expand beyond Chengdu, connecting more inland cities. By reducing transport costs, it could reshape supply chains across Southeast Asia and boost trade between China, Laos and Thailand.

The rail service strengthens ties between Thailand's durian farms and China's vast consumer market. It also supports broader trade growth in western China by improving access to fresh, high-quality produce. Officials anticipate further expansion of the route in the coming months.