China-Europe freight route a 'crucial lifeline'

Since April, the company has dispatched approximately 50 standard containers filled with ketchup from Xinjiang, totaling 7,200 tons.

Xinjiang stands as a key ketchup production hub, annually exporting around 700,000 tons to European markets like Italy and Spain.

Renowned as one of the world's top three tomato processing regions, China dominates global tomato trade, with Xinjiang playing a pivotal role as the nation's primary tomato processing hub — contributing 80 percent of the country's tomato production and 70 percent of its tomato sauce exports, representing a quarter of global trade. Notably, one of every four bottles of tomato sauce worldwide originates from Xinjiang.

With over 200 tomato processing enterprises, Xinjiang accounts for over 80 percent of China's tomato processing industry.

Ding elaborated on the cost and time savings facilitated by the China-Europe freight train service, highlighting its economic advantages over traditional sea routes.