In an interview with local officials and stakeholders, we explored the dynamic development of Gansu’s agricultural exports, particularly in the Suzhou District of Jiuquan City, during the vibrant autumn season.
“Autumn brings an abundance of delicious fruits like fresh crabs and juicy plums,” began Dai Wenchang, the spokesperson for the local postal administration. “We’ve worked diligently to construct an efficient urban-rural delivery logistics system that connects rural producers with consumers far and wide, effectively boosting the local economy and paving a path for prosperity for our farmers.”
In the past few years, the Jiuquan Post Administration has focused on enhancing courier services in rural areas. “We realized that improving delivery access to villages is crucial,” said Yuan Lixin, the head of the Jiuquan Postal Administration. “Through collaborative logistics initiatives among delivery companies and integrating parcel and passenger services, we’ve achieved complete courier coverage in all established villages in the Suzhou District.”
On October 24, a visit to the San Dun Town integrated service station showcased the fruits of this initiative. The network continues to grow, with numerous new postal service points sprouting in towns and villages. Yuan noted, “We’ve established a county-level central distribution hub, 15 township service stations, and 122 village postal logistics service stations. Additionally, we’ve created public service positions for logistics in 109 administrative villages, and our automated sorting centers have significantly reduced mail delivery times by an average of half a day.”
The quick, stable, and precise delivery services are catalyzing the rapid growth of modern agriculture. Local postal companies are innovating collection methods and optimizing transportation routes, thus enhancing their service for both traditional products like Dunhuang apricots and onions, and new offerings like fresh plums and crabs. “This strategy allows us to promote ‘Jiuquan flavors’ on a wider scale,” Yuan emphasized.
To ensure that fresh agricultural products are shipped out swiftly, courier companies in Suzhou District have established cooperative mechanisms with towns, villages, and farmers. “We’ve set up multiple service points in villages where there’s a high volume of deliveries, cutting out unnecessary transfer stages to improve speed,” Yuan explained. “So far, we’ve shipped 550,000 plums this year, helping farmers earn an additional 22 million yuan, creating a win-win situation for farmers, e-commerce, and companies alike.”
Crab farming in the Gobi Desert is a newer industry that has emerged in the district over the past few years. “To make sure our crabs reach consumers across the country promptly and in peak condition, we’ve continually refined the entire delivery process,” Yuan mentioned. In August this year, local courier companies managed to deliver over 50 tons of crabs, totaling around 21,000 parcels and generating more than 5 million yuan in additional income for the community.
Gansu’s agricultural practices are steeped in history, with the region’s unique advantages—its length, abundant sunlight, substantial temperature differences, and low pest occurrences—creating an ideal environment for various fruits, highland vegetables, and Gobi aquaculture. “In the first three quarters of 2024, Gansu’s agricultural product export value reached 2.38 billion yuan, a growth of 22.7%, with products shipped to over 100 countries and regions worldwide,” highlighted An Guomin, deputy director of the Gansu Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
