Today, more and more fruits from neighbouring countries are appearing in local Yunnan markets as imports increase.

 “Fruits from these countries are organic, fresh and affordable for average households,” said Kunming citizen Ms. Chen, who bought watermelons imported from Myanmar during the Chinese New Year. “They taste great, and local watermelons are not yet in season,” she said.

Statistics from the Yunnan Exit and Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau show that several types of fruit from neighbouring countries have obtained proper import qualifications. Currently, 22 kinds of fruit from Thailand and eight from Vietnam and Myanmar respectively have entered the Yunnan market.

Statistics also show that 3,187 batches consisting of 215,000 tons of fruit valued at 160 million US dollars were imported from Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar in 2016. Citrus, watermelon, pitaya and bananas are the most popular. According to Chen Yunyong, Deputy Director of the Plant Inspection Division at the Yunnan Exit and Entry Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, watermelons and bananas from Laos are also expected to arrive in Yunnan soon. Related official formalities are under way.