Jilin matsutake exports top $14 million, reaching South Korea in 48 hours

(ECNS)-- Matsutake mushroom exports from China’s Jilin province have topped 106 million yuan ($14.6 million) so far this year, and fresh shipments now reach South Korea within 48 hours, customs officials said.

As of Oct. 8, Yanji Customs in Yanbian had inspected and cleared 371 metric tons of matsutake for export, worth 106 million yuan ($14.6 million). Volume rose 45% and value 86.8% from a year earlier.

Matsutake mushrooms are delicate and perishable, so fast transportation and customs clearance directly affect their quality and price. Zhang Renjun, head of Yanji Tianqin Products Co., Ltd., said customs officers inspect the mushrooms on the packaging line, which cuts the loss of cold air from repeatedly opening boxes.

To speed clearance of fresh produce, Yanji Customs has opened a “green channel” and built an air freight express line so fresh matsutake arrives overseas within 48 hours.

Fang Zhong, chief of the Second Supervision Section of Yanji Customs, said all business teams work overtime during the matsutake export season to minimize clearance time.

Local companies are expanding the industrial chain. This year, Yanji Customs rolled out customized policy packages for eight local matsutake processing firms to help them develop high-value-added products.

(By Helen Mo & intern Xu Wenda)