Waxberries. [Photo/Xinhua]

As China and the UAE mark 40 years of diplomatic ties, the rapid expansion of logistics and deepening cultural exchanges have brought waxberries from Cixi, a county-level city in Ningbo, into Dubai homes, according to Ningbo Daily.

On June 23, Dubai resident Hardi eagerly unveiled a shipment of Cixi waxberries. Just days earlier, these berries were harvested from the orchards of Tong'ao village in Cixi. Carefully selected and packed, they passed through rigorous customs inspections before being transported via cold-chain trucks to the Shanghai airport, from where they will be shipped to Dubai.

Zhong Dongmei, general manager of Ningbo Meizi Liangwu E-commerce Co Ltd., highlighted that this batch of Cixi waxberries, totaling 105.3 kilograms spread across ten boxes, is priced at approximately 600 yuan ($82) per kg upon arrival in Dubai.

"Our Dubai clients purchase these waxberries as gifts for their customers, further spreading the tradition of Chinese waxberry gifts through their networks," said Zhong. 

The company has been exporting the fruit for eight years, expanding from Hong Kong to destinations such as Singapore and Dubai, offering a variety of premium yangmei gift packages.

"A few years ago, there was buzz about Dubai's elite enjoying waxberries at 60 yuan per berry. Today, prices have become more accessible," she added, calculating the cost of ten boxes at 59,870 yuan, with each berry averaging 7.9 yuan.

With enhanced logistics and cultural exchanges, the Cixi waxberry is carving a niche for itself in Dubai's culinary landscape, enriching local households with its distinctive flavor and cultural significance.

Editor: Cheng Dengyu