On July 7, executives of Junda Fruit Farming Cooperative in Linyi county saw 120.15 metric tons of fresh peach loaded onto a freight train at a railway logistics park in the Shanxi city of Yuncheng, which was bound to the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.

It is only a recent move that fruits grown in Linyi, Yuncheng have been exported overseas.

Shanxi province is a famous producer of specialty farm produce in China. It takes the lead in the output of such products as millet and naked oat. It also enjoys a good reputation for fruits such as apples, peaches and pears.

While meeting the demands of domestic consumers, the province has enhanced exports of farm produce over the past years.

The city of Yuncheng has been a major agricultural exporter in Shanxi. Local statistics show that it has been the largest exporter of farm produce in the province for 10 consecutive years, with sales reaching 76 countries and regions.

During the first five months of this year, Yuncheng exported 3,630 tons, or 49.23 million yuan ($6.88 million) worth of farming products. This period was the slack season for agricultural exports because the harvesting of most of the produce is in summer and autumn.

Yuncheng is the leading fruit producer in Shanxi, with its fruits output accounting for more than 80 percent of the provincial total. Its full-year fruit exports can reach 266,200 tons.

According to local entrepreneurs, such large volumes in output and exports are made possible because of farming modernization.

Huarong Fruits based in Wanrong county, Yuncheng, is one of the leading farming companies that have been benefiting from modernized operations in recent years.

Huang Yue, deputy general manager of the company, said Huarong is a company with comprehensive operations ranging from farming, purchase, processing, storage and logistics to exports.

"What makes us stand out from others is that we own a number of advanced facilities," Huang said. "For instance, we have air-conditioned warehouses and automatic fruit sorting lines."

And the company's innovative operational model has added to its success. According to Huang, Huarong was the first company in the country to establish a fruit farming cooperative.

"Through the cooperative, we bring together the farmers under our company's standardized operational system," Huang said. "Farmers have access to our advanced farming technologies, machines, fertilizers and skills training. On the other hand, they also need to comply with our rules for quality control."

Because of the high prices that suit the quality of the produce, the company and farmers have both seen a rapid increase in revenue in recent years, according to Huang. He cited the price of early reaped jujube, which is now sold at about $18 a pound in the United States.

"We are among the very few fruit exporters in China that have won quality accreditations in multiple countries and regions," he said proudly.

The customs house in Yuncheng has also played its role in supporting the exports of local produce.

For instance, it has substantially improved efficiency for inspection and quarantine procedures through the use of digital technologies. In addition, it offers tax rebates to exporters according to multilateral trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

"The services will continue to improve in the future," said Xu Weidong, head of the Yuncheng customs house. "But the standard for quality control will be enhanced, for improving the recognition of Yuncheng's products in the international market."

By YUAN SHENGGAO

Meng Ting contributed to this story.