Chinese fruit producers started supply of apples to Russia and Belarus. On Saturday reported the news Agency"Xinhua".

"The new cargo route open between the city Linyi (Eastern Shandong province) began operating just before the New year according to the lunar calendar (February 16 - approx. TASS). The first shipment of 26 tons of tons of apples and 26 tons of garlic have been sent to Russia and Belarus", - informs news Agency.

"Before, we were not able to export their products in Russia, - quotes "Xinhua" the words of the Manager of the company Zhang Yiyuan Country of Sanzuane. - Transportation of apples to Russia and Belarus by sea took too much time and greatly increased logistics costs. After the opening of the train route we hope to reach a high level of supply".

According to "Xinhua", in plans of the manufacturer to build in Russia a warehouse and to deliver annually to the Russian market more than 30 thousand tons of apples.

Freight rail route between Linyi and Minsk was opened on 26 January 2018. Its total length is about 10 thousand kilometers and a journey time of 16 days. Cargo transportation by sea takes 30 days longer.

According to the statistical data of the State Commission for development and reform Commission (GRDC), the volume of rail freight traffic on the route China - Europe last year increased by 116%, six times higher than the previous years.