From Lingnan's premium fruits to fresh aquatic products, batches of distinctive agricultural products carrying the flavors of southern Guangdong are accelerating their journey overseas. According to statistics from Guangdong Sub-Office of the General Administration of Customs, Guangdong's agricultural exports reached 6.573 million tons in the first 11 months of this year, up 13.6% year-on-year, covering 214 countries and regions. Guangdong also ranked first nationwide in supplying agricultural products to Hong Kong and Macao, with a total of 2.58 million tons shipped during the same period, accounting for 67.4% of the national total and effectively ensuring stable supply for the Greater Bay Area's "vegetable basket."
Quality and safety are prerequisites for agricultural products entering the global market. Guangdong Customs has implemented strict source control, guiding enterprises to establish a full-chain quality and safety management system. Continuous disease monitoring and residue control of harmful substances, along with rigorous pre-export inspection and quarantine supervision, ensure that every batch meets international standards and competes on quality.
Meizhou pomelo is a signature product of Guangdong's agricultural sector. Deng Yanshou, chairman of Guangdong Shunxing Planting and Breeding Co., Ltd., said, "Customs provided comprehensive guidance from field cultivation to packaging, helping us improve product quality. This year, our company exported 1,405 tons of pomelos worth approximately $1.85 million, achieving steady growth."
Deep integration into the agricultural supply chain has helped transform local specialties into large-scale industries. You Hong, head of the Inspection and Quarantine Division at Guangdong Customs, highlighted that in Taishan—known as China's "Eel Town"—customs has precisely supported leading enterprises to enhance branding and deep processing. "Taishan eels" now account for over 60% of national exports.
Xu Aining, a representative of Guangdong Yuanhong Aquatic Group, noted that Jiangmen Customs assisted the company in aligning with target market standards, facilitating international expansion. Over the past two years, the company added six eel farming sites and obtained customs registration approval, successfully entering new markets in multiple regions.
For agricultural exports, freshness and speed are critical. Guangdong's customs authorities have established green channels for inspection, prioritizing perishable goods with "5+2" appointment-based checks to maintain freshness. For instance, Guangzhou Customs expedites documentation, quarantine, and release for short-shelf-life fruits. Shenzhen and Huangpu Customs introduced a consolidated "grouped transport + centralized supervision" model for fresh produce bound for Hong Kong, streamlining declaration and inspection. Guangdong Customs also implemented a "three-link, three-sync" approach for Macao-bound aquatic products, enabling immediate inspection and release while ensuring risk control. Additionally, reforms in fresh milk supply to Hong Kong reduced clearance time from 72 hours to just 6 hours, achieving near-same-day delivery.
Li Zhuofeng, marketing director of Guangdong Zhongli Agricultural Group, pointed out that seven out of every ten lychees in the global market come from China, with Guangdong contributing 60% of domestic output. Given lychees' perishability, efficient customs clearance has been crucial for the company's global reach.
"Guangdong Customs is taking concrete measures to safeguard export quality and efficiency, ensuring smooth passage for local specialties," said You Hong. The authorities will continue strengthening supervision to support more Guangdong agricultural products in expanding internationally, spreading the appeal of "Guangdong-made" delicacies worldwide.
Comments