Chongqing - Recently, Chongqing Nengtou Logistics' public bonded warehouse in Rongchang District received its first shipment: 636 tons of cassava starch from Laos, transported via the China-Laos Railway through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).

Six hundred thirty-six tons of cassava starch from Laos arrived at Rongchang District, Chongqing. (Photo/Yang Lidan)

Cassava, originally from Brazil, is a major crop grown in many Southeast Asian countries. Its starch is processed into numerous products familiar to consumers, including taro dumplings, vermicelli, and even materials for fireworks and industrial uses. 

The rising demand for cassava in China has been driven by its wide applications across the food and chemical industries. The ongoing development of the China-Laos Railway and the ILSTC has further fueled the surge in cassava imports from Southeast Asia.

"Cassava starch is a key product on our return liners," said Song Lina, deputy general manager of Chongqing Jiangjin Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Business Operations Management Co., Ltd. She explained that cassava starch is in high demand across Sichuan and Chongqing, where it's used to make popular products like hot and sour noodles, bubble tea, and animal feed.

"Cassava starch is cost-effective and versatile," added Yan Kun, Chongqing Yishenghong Import and Export Trade Co., Ltd executive director. He noted that edible-grade starch is used in foods like vermicelli, glutinous rice balls, and sausages, while industrial-grade serves non-food sectors like chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Cassava is easy to grow, with high yields and year-round harvests, especially in regions like China's Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan. However, the high demand for cassava starch has led Chinese companies to import from Southeast Asia for over a decade.

Previously, imports depended on costly and slow sea and road transport. According to Yan, the ILSTC now offers more efficient options, with cross-border rail and sea-rail transport improving both cost and time efficiency.

China's cassava imports mainly come from Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. While shipments from Thailand and Vietnam typically arrive at Qingdao or Tianjin ports, cassava from Laos is transported via the China-Laos Railway, reaching destinations like Chongqing, Chengdu, and Hunan. 

Statistics from New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. reveal that since the launch of the China-Laos Railway, Chongqing has handled 7,179 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of cassava starch through the corridor by June 2024. Notably, 2,211 TEUs were transported in the first half of 2024 alone.

Since the launch of the China-Laos Railway, Chongqing has handled 7,179 TEUs of cassava starch through the ILSTC by June 2024. (Graphic/Zheng Ran)

"Cassava starch is gaining popularity across various industries," said Yan, emphasizing the expanding use cases and growing demand for cassava starch in China. With the booming development of the cassava planting and processing industries in Laos and other Southeast Asian countries, the future of cassava-related industries looks promising.

The ILSTC, anchored by Chongqing Dry Port, aims to establish comprehensive supply chain management services for cassava imports, including trade, logistics, warehousing, and financial services, positioning itself as a hub for cassava trading and distribution.