The Vietnam National Railways Corporation (VNR) issued a statement on March 30 noting that after being in operation for one month, over 200 international refrigerated containers of dragon fruit have been exported to China.

Photo: VGP

At present, the freight train that transports fresh agricultural products from the southern region to Dong Dang station in Lang Son province, bordering China, takes approximately 70 hours, with costs approximately 20% lower than those of road transportation.

In addition, freight trains have a capacity which is equal to that of 20 vehicles. With a rapid customs clearance process being put in place, the transport of refrigerated containers by rail to China has helped shippers save time and cost in comparison with using road links.

Aside from the sale of dragon fruit, nine other types of fruit are poised to be officially exported by rail in the near future.

The VNR stated that the COVID-19 epidemic has caused difficulties for exporting agricultural products to China through sub-borders. Therefore, the deployment of customs clearances on agricultural products through international railway stations such as Dong Dang - Pingxiang (Guangxi-China) is considered to be the most effective solution.

Most notably, the export of agricultural products in refrigerated containers by rail will greatly contribute to curbing the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.