North China's Shanxi province has exported 14 categories and 73 varieties of fruits to 78 countries and regions, including the United States, Australia, and Russia, according to statistics released by Taiyuan Customs on Jan 14.

Shanxi exported 167,500 metric tons of fresh fruits in 2024, a 9.3-percent increase over the previous year. For the first time, fresh apricots were exported to Russia and the United Arab Emirates, winter jujubes to Bahrain, and apples to Somalia.

Yuncheng, Shanxi's main fruit-producing area, is recognized as a "golden production belt". The city has 2.47 million mu (164,666 hectares) of plantations, with an annual output of 6 million tons.

Yuncheng exported apples to the United States in 2015, marking its first international export. Since then, its nectarines and fresh apples have also debuted overseas.

With Chinese New Year approaching, fruit exports to Thailand are booming. To enhance clearance efficiency, Taiyuan Customs has proactively coordinated with major fruit export customs in Shanxi and implemented a "local inspection + port sealing" model with Yunnan port customs. This has reduced clearance time by 60 percent, resulting in a 468-percent increase in fruit exports to Thailand from the previous year.

In 2024, Taiyuan Customs recommended 326 fruit packing facilities and 702 orchards from Shanxi to 14 countries and regions. It also assisted four fruit export companies in obtaining AEO certification, enabling them to enjoy expedited customs clearance.