In recent years, the export of agricultural products in Shanxi province has become increasingly larger, according to businessmen and officials – who said they expected the trend to continue.

"Our company's 20 fruit products are mainly exported to more than 10n countries, including Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Canada, and Australia," said Zhang Hongwei on Dec 11, sales manager of Shanxi Yangmei Xinke Agricultural Development Co. 

Zhang reported that his group exported fruit worth $12.9 million in 2018, for huge year-on-year growth of 389.20 percent. 

Local Yuncheng city's fruit has been exported to 61 countries and regions, with seven countries added as importers over the past few years.

Officials said more kinds of grain -- including red kidney beans, mung beans and millet -- have been exported to 13 countries including France, Canada, India, Japan, Russia and Egypt.

From January to November, 254,000 metric tons of food and agricultural products with a value of 3.39 billion yuan ($485.73 million) were exported, according to Taiyuan customs. The province's dry and fresh fruit, animal products, small grains and other agricultural specialties were exported to 91 countries and regions. 

The boom in farm produce exports is partially due to Taiyuan customs' efforts in promoting agricultural product quality and brands. 

Since the start of the year, Taiyuan customs has guided export enterprises to improve their quality management systems and promoted brand building of food and agricultural products, while reducing customs clearance times for exports. 

It has been strengthening the supervision and source control of farms and cooperatives, carrying out risk monitoring of toxic and hazardous substances and monitoring any pest infestations.

Officials said it has also established a sound quality and safety traceability system with four state key laboratories for vinegar, maggots, grain and fruit and vegetable quarantine at full play. 

In addition, Shanxi province has founded 44 demonstration zones for quality and safety of various food and farm produce, such as fruit, dried fruit, vegetables, cattle and traditional Chinese medicines, in l 42 local counties and districts.

Since the establishment of these demonstration zones, Shanxi's farm produce exports have increased 26 percent annually on average. 

For example, the demonstration zone for fruit quality and safety has helped local fruit exports surge, with annual export volumes exceeding 360,000 tons both in 2017 and 2018. During the period there have also been a substantial increase in the number of fruit export companies, up from less than 10 to around 100.