An estimated 5000 tons of fruit and meat have entered Chongqing through its Lianglu Cuntan Bonded Port since the beginning of operations in February, according to the Liangjiang administrative committee.

The port is the only one in West China designated as a meat and fruit importer. Since opening in February, it has helped save time and the logistics costs.

In the last six months, the port has attracted a number of cold-chain logistics businesses to the area.

"The traditional process of importing fruits and meat requires customs clearance and inspection before delivering to the country's inland areas. The process time is long and not good for the food storage," said a senior staff member from a logistics management company based in Chongqing.

Since the commencement of Lianglu Cuntan Bonded Port, clearance and inspection of the meat and fruit has been carried out in Chongqing city, allowing logistics costs to be cut.

The arrival of cold-chain logistics companies in Liangjiang has coincided with the local government's efforts to strengthen the supervision of the cold-chain food import and export business. A freezing warehouse with a capacity of 3,000 tons has been constructed in the area to ensure food safety standards are met.

Edited by Jacob Hooson