EkoNiva Group Commences Rail Shipment of Dairy Products to China
Source: The DairyNews
EkoNiva Group of Companies, a leading Russian producer of raw milk, has initiated rail shipments of dairy products to China.
"The first containers, carrying 42.5 tonnes of UHT milk, have arrived in the city of Xi'an. Previously, the group shipped dairy products to China by sea," the company announced in a press release.
The journey from Moscow to Xi'an took 23 days, including all customs procedures, with JSC RZD Logistics serving as EkoNiva's logistics partner. The group is actively working to optimize its logistics processes and aims to reduce delivery times further in collaboration with its partner, according to the press release.
EkoNiva Group established an official representative office, EkoNiva (Xi'an) Dairy Co. Trading House, in Xi'an in January this year. Xi'an is a key land transport hub in Shaanxi province. "This division engages in commercial activities, enhances brand awareness in China, boosts export volumes, and expands our range of dairy products," the agricultural holding stated.
In April, EkoNiva signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xi'an Changba International Port, a major logistics hub and pilot free trade zone in Xi'an.
EkoNiva began exporting milk to China in the summer of 2020. The product range includes UHT milk of various fat contents and UHT cream with 10% fat content. The total export volume is currently close to 1,800 tonnes, with over 350 tonnes shipped this year alone. The group's products are available in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces, as well as in Shanghai and Beijing.
"The long sea delivery times, up to two months, significantly limited the range of products we could offer. Rail transportation, which takes just over two weeks, opens up new opportunities for us. EkoNiva enterprises are undergoing certification to present Chinese consumers with shorter shelf-life products, such as natural semi-hard and hard cheeses, which are in high demand," stated Alexei Maslennikov, Deputy General Director for Sales and Marketing of EkoNiva-Produkty Pitaniya.
Alexander Sivertsev, Director for Container Transportation and Agrilogistics at Russian Railways Logistics, noted that domestic producers are increasingly relying on railroads for product delivery. "This motivates us to actively develop our services, particularly for China-bound freight. Russian Railways Logistics is continuously improving transportation technologies using mixed trains and adapting services, including Agroexpress, to meet exporters' needs," he said in a press release.
The journey from Moscow to Xi'an took 23 days, including all customs procedures, with JSC RZD Logistics serving as EkoNiva's logistics partner. The group is actively working to optimize its logistics processes and aims to reduce delivery times further in collaboration with its partner, according to the press release.
EkoNiva Group established an official representative office, EkoNiva (Xi'an) Dairy Co. Trading House, in Xi'an in January this year. Xi'an is a key land transport hub in Shaanxi province. "This division engages in commercial activities, enhances brand awareness in China, boosts export volumes, and expands our range of dairy products," the agricultural holding stated.
In April, EkoNiva signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xi'an Changba International Port, a major logistics hub and pilot free trade zone in Xi'an.
EkoNiva began exporting milk to China in the summer of 2020. The product range includes UHT milk of various fat contents and UHT cream with 10% fat content. The total export volume is currently close to 1,800 tonnes, with over 350 tonnes shipped this year alone. The group's products are available in Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces, as well as in Shanghai and Beijing.
"The long sea delivery times, up to two months, significantly limited the range of products we could offer. Rail transportation, which takes just over two weeks, opens up new opportunities for us. EkoNiva enterprises are undergoing certification to present Chinese consumers with shorter shelf-life products, such as natural semi-hard and hard cheeses, which are in high demand," stated Alexei Maslennikov, Deputy General Director for Sales and Marketing of EkoNiva-Produkty Pitaniya.
Alexander Sivertsev, Director for Container Transportation and Agrilogistics at Russian Railways Logistics, noted that domestic producers are increasingly relying on railroads for product delivery. "This motivates us to actively develop our services, particularly for China-bound freight. Russian Railways Logistics is continuously improving transportation technologies using mixed trains and adapting services, including Agroexpress, to meet exporters' needs," he said in a press release.
