China launches first dedicated king crab export route from Jilin

 

(ECNS) -- A charter flight carrying about 11 metric tons of king crabs took off from Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport in Yanbian, Jilin Province on Saturday, bound for Hong Kong.

The shipment comprised 948 cartons with a value of 3.57 million yuan (about $496,000).

The Russian king crabs were processed for bonded distribution export at the Hunchun inland logistics hub before being transported by refrigerated trucks to Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport and flown to Hong Kong the same day, completing the journey in less than five hours.

Yanbian in Jilin is China’s largest distribution hub for imported king crabs. Changchun Customs said the flight marked the launch of China’s first dedicated cargo charter route for king crab exports, with customs authorities making advance preparations to ensure the smooth operation of the maiden flight.

Operated by Jiangsu Jingdong Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd., the route is scheduled to operate 20 to 22 flights this year, transporting around 500 metric tons of king crabs worth 100 million yuan. Some of the cargo will be transshipped from Hong Kong to markets in Southeast Asia.

(By Helen Mo & intern Xu Wenda)