On November 8, the Shandong Heima Agricultural Wholesale Smart Cold Chain Logistics Trading Center was a hive of activity as it prepared for trial operations. Logistics trucks from across the region were busy transporting goods. Liu Jiusheng, a seafood merchant, was stocking up as a cold chain truck carrying 20 tons of hairtail from Zhejiang arrived. The goods were quickly stored in the center’s smart cold storage. “With this facility, I can stock up in bulk, which lowers logistics costs and ensures high-quality storage,” said Liu, highlighting the importance of proper storage and transportation in his line of work.
Key Features of Heima Smart Cold Chain Logistics Trading Center
The center integrates warehousing and cold chain logistics to connect markets and farmers, consolidating agricultural resources from Dezhou and surrounding areas. This creates a comprehensive industrial chain of “base + farmers + warehousing + cold chain logistics + market.” The first phase has been completed, and when all three phases are operational, the center will serve a 200-kilometer radius, meeting the consumption needs of nearly 10 million people.
To support merchants, the first phase of the 60,000-ton cold storage facility began cooling on October 22. Freezers on the first and second floors were gradually brought to -18°C, while the third floor, a constant-temperature storage area, was maintained at around 0°C. Real-time data on temperature, humidity, and microorganisms is displayed on monitors, allowing administrators to ensure food quality and safety.
Advanced Technology for Food Preservation
“The cold storage facility uses cutting-edge refrigeration and preservation technology to extend the shelf life of agricultural products,” said Yue Song, Manager of the Cold Storage Equipment Department. The smart logistics system improves transportation and storage efficiency while reducing costs.
Enhancing Regional Logistics Capabilities
“We are working with leading logistics companies to boost our long-distance and short-distance distribution capabilities,” said Zhang Wei, Vice President of Heima Group. The ultimate vision is to build a smart, comprehensive logistics park that integrates:
- Agricultural product trading
- Smart preservation
- Pesticide residue testing
- Merchant support
- Production and sales coordination
- Traceability systems
- Big data centers
- Cross-border e-commerce logistics
This ecosystem aims to support the transportation, storage, and sale of fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Strengthening Dezhou’s Cold Chain Industry
Dezhou has made strides as a leading food production hub with a strong agricultural base and abundant fruit and vegetable output. However, challenges such as weak product competitiveness and underdeveloped cold chain logistics remain. To address these issues, the city has focused on building cold chain market hubs and expanding cold chain trade over the past two years.
“Cold chain logistics plays a vital role in sectors such as agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals and is closely tied to economic growth and public well-being,” said Shi Lei, Deputy Director of the City’s Logistics and Exhibition Development Center. Following the city’s high-quality service industry conference, Dezhou surveyed logistics needs across key industries and aligned logistics with manufacturing and commerce to attract strategic investments.
Collaboration and Market Expansion
The city leverages the China (Dezhou) Agricultural Food Innovation Industrial Park to partner with leading cold chain companies like SF Express and JD Logistics, establishing regional nodes to improve distribution. Local cold chain companies, including Yuanhua Logistics and Xuezhimei, collaborate with warehousing giants like Feima Cold Chain and Kaide Cold Chain to share information and resources, expanding into major markets in Beijing, Tianjin, and Jinan.
By capitalizing on cold chain trade companies like Heima and Qianlifang, Dezhou introduces premium products such as ASEAN fruits and South American beef to domestic markets.
Driving Innovation in Cold Chain Logistics
Dezhou collaborates with universities and research institutions to advance cold chain logistics technology and develop traceability platforms. These platforms enable full-chain supervision, ensuring food safety from pre-cooling to the dining table.
Conclusion
The Heima Smart Cold Chain Logistics Trading Center is a key step in Dezhou’s mission to enhance its cold chain logistics infrastructure. By focusing on advanced technology and collaboration, Dezhou is poised to become a regional leader in cold chain trade, offering efficient and reliable logistics solutions that boost economic growth and consumer satisfaction.
Explore Dezhou’s Cold Chain Advantage—Enhancing Efficiency and Ensuring Food Safety Across China!
德州市着力发展冷链贸易，不断延伸冷链物流产业链_山东各地 _山东新闻_新闻_齐鲁网
Post time: Nov-13-2024