A freight train carrying premium bananas from Laos has arrived in Chongqing, marking the first use of a fully dedicated, end-to-end rail transport system between Laos and China. The shipment included five 40-foot containers with a net weight of 85.5 tones, departing from Vientiane and entering China via the Mohan railway checkpoint in Yunnan.
After customs inspection, the bananas were distributed to wholesale markets in Chongqing and nearby areas. Importers said the shipment reflects growing Chinese demand for high-quality Southeast Asian fruit, with Lao bananas gaining popularity due to stable supply, good flavor, and competitive prices.
The dedicated rail system, featuring temperature control, real-time tracking, and streamlined procedures, has reduced transport losses and cut overall logistics costs by 16 percent compared with road transport. Chongqing Customs has launched a pilot inspection and quarantine program under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and strengthened coordination with Kunming Customs and railway authorities.
According to Mr. Zhao Kai, Deputy Director of Chongqing Customs’ Animal and Plant Quarantine Department, the China–Laos Railway is becoming a preferred, efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly route for agricultural products from Southeast Asia to reach Chongqing.
Source: Vientiane Times, Issue 23, Dated 3 February 2026
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