One container of Rockit apples from New Zealand is unloaded from a vessel at Damaiyu Port in Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The Damaiyu Port in Yuhuan, a county-level city in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, welcomed its first shipment of Rockit apples from New Zealand on Aug 20, alongside 5,585 metric tons of New Zealand kiwifruit.

The 19-ton batch of apples marks another addition to the port's imported fruit portfolio after earlier shipments of kiwifruit and Chilean cherries.

Upon arrival, port inspection authorities collaborated to establish a green channel for cold-chain cargo. Through the international trade platform, customs clearance and inspections were completed in just 30 minutes, ensuring the fresh produce quickly entered storage facilities in the port's cold warehouses. The fruit will soon be distributed in Taizhou through group sales at favorable prices.

The Rockit apple is known for its small size, crisp texture, and juicy flavor. Grown in New Zealand's Hawke's Bay region with glacier-fed water and abundant sunshine, the apple has a thin skin, tiny core, and can be eaten whole. Its unique packaging and premium taste have made it popular among high-end consumers.

Logistics firms highlighted that choosing Damaiyu Port reduces shipping time by nearly a week compared to other ports such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, helping maintain quality while serving Zhejiang's market more directly. This cooperation strengthens the port's role as a key hub for fresh imports into the region.