Shandong Port Group (SPG) inaugurated its imported cassava starch (supermarket) distribution center at the Luxi International Land Port on Feb 10.

This center, a collaborative effort between the SPG Logistics Group, Trade Group, Liaocheng representative office, Linqing Economic Development Zone, and more, aims to enhance the layout of the domestic market distribution network for imported cassava starch, thereby reducing the comprehensive transportation costs associated with this commodity.

The imported cassava starch (supermarket) distribution center of SPG. [Photo/WeChat account: Shandong-Port]

China primarily sources its cassava starch from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in 2024, China's total cassava starch imports amounted to 3.83 million metric tons, a notable 15.52-percent increase from the previous year.

Located in Linqing, a county-level city under the administration of Liaocheng, the Luxi International Land Port is surrounded by over 100 cassava processing plants, with an annual import volume ranging from 200,000 to 250,000 tons. In 2024, SPG launched its first comprehensive cassava starch supply chain business in Liaocheng, offering a suite of integrated supply chain services encompassing booking, letter of credit, customs clearance, warehousing, distribution, and procurement.

The imported cassava starch (supermarket) distribution center boasts a warehouse spanning 60,000 square meters, with an annual storage capacity of up to 400,000 tons. Its primary focus lies in providing customers with a comprehensive one-stop, door-to-door supply chain service that integrates warehousing, trade, finance, and logistics. Its annual trade volume is expected to reach between 200,000 and 300,000 tons.