HAIKOU, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- According to Haikou Customs, south China's Hainan Province imported 592,000 tonnes of coconuts through its ports in 2025, up 17.3 percent year on year, ranking first in imports of the tropical fruit among other provinces and regions in China.

Its imports of coconuts from Indonesia totaled 516,000 tonnes in 2025, up 34.3 percent and accounting for 87.2 percent of the total. Imports from the Philippines and Thailand also recorded strong growth.

The steady rise in imports highlights Hainan's efforts to leverage the policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), which supports the rapid development of its coconut industry while delivering faster logistics and lower costs for businesses.

Freshness is crucial to the market competitiveness of coconut products. By implementing measures such as advance declaration and appointment-based inspections, customs clearance procedures have been streamlined, reducing port operation times. This enables coconuts to be transferred more quickly from arrival to processing.

"Time directly determines product competitiveness," said Zheng Xinzhuang, a customs agent of a local freight company. "Now it takes as little as 24 hours from berthing to production."

Preferential tax policies under the Hainan FTP have further reduced costs for enterprises. Local processors benefit from zero tariffs on imported production equipment, which reduces investment and production costs and strengthens their market competitiveness.

In 2025, Hainan achieved its first export of virgin coconut oil, while other coconut products, including coconut juice and coconut milk, are expanding into overseas markets.

With new direct shipping routes from Indonesia's Pontianak and Palembang to Yangpu Port now in operation, Hainan is expected to further strengthen its coconut supply chain. Haikou Customs said it will continue to optimize regulatory services to support the industry's expansion and upgrading. ■