Current situation of apple production and export in China
Apple trees belong to the Rosaceae family and are deciduous trees with elliptical leaves. Its fruit is spherical, sweet in taste, crispy in taste, and rich in nutrients, making it the top four fruits in the world. Apple cultivation in China has the characteristics of vast regions and wide latitude and longitude ranges. According to the ecological environment of each region, it can be divided into six production areas. China's apple production ranks first in the world, with an average annual production of over 50% of the world's apple production. In 2021, the apple planting area in China reached 1.98 million hectares, and the apple yield reached 46 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.33%. In 2022, the apparent demand for apples in China was 47 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 4%.
With the popularization and promotion of apple planting technology, as well as the breeding and introduction of excellent apple varieties, China's apple planting area and annual yield have gradually increased, and it has become the world's largest apple producing country, occupying an important position in the world's apple production. In 2020, the total export volume of apples in China reached 1.0581 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 8.96%. In 2022, due to the increase in labor costs and poor domestic and international circulation, China's apple export volume was 823100 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 23.67%. As of the end of August 23, the export volume of apples in China was 423800 tons, of which the export volume of fresh apples in August 23 was about 71100 tons, an increase of 79.25% month on month and 38.35% year-on-year.
China Railway Express / China Europe Freight Train
China Railway Express / China Europe Freight Train operates in accordance with fixed train numbers, routes, schedules and full operation timetables, which is the international intermodal train for containers between China and Europe and countries along the Belt and Road. In recent years, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, CR Express has gradually gained wide recognition by Chinese and European clients due to its comparative advantages in timeliness, price, capacity, safety, and overall service. It has become a viable logistics alternative to sea and air transport between China and Europe. With continued and stable improvement in both quantity and quality, CR Express now reaches more than 200 cities in over 20 European countries. Nicknamed the “Steel Camel Fleet”, CR Express is becoming an important medium for policy communication, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial connectivity, and people-to-people exchange between China and the Belt and Road countries.
Beijing to Minsk China Europe freight train officially launched
On May 15th, 2025, a China Europe freight train loaded with auto parts departed from the Liulihe branch of the Beijing Railway Logistics Center of the State Railway Beijing Bureau, with the destination being Minsk, the capital of Belarus. This marks the official launch of the Beijing Minsk China Europe freight train, opening up a new logistics channel for trade between Beijing and surrounding areas and Europe.
It is reported that this China Europe freight train carries a total of 55 40 foot containers, loaded with about 293 tons of goods from the Beijing Tianjin Hebei region. It departs from Beijing, exits through the Erenhot port, and is expected to travel for about 15 days to reach the capital of Belarus, Minsk.
