Drones transport fresh cherries from China's Loess Plateau

The Loess Plateau is currently at the peak of its cherry harvest season. Due to their soft flesh and short shelf life, cherries are highly susceptible to bruising and damage during long land journeys and various handling processes. To reduce delivery times and minimise fruit damage, SF Express launched drone delivery trials this week.

During the trial flights, drones were loaded directly with ripe cherries from a local orchard. Flying autonomously at low altitudes, the drones travelled stably towards the nearest courier outlet. No manual transfer was required at any point, demonstrating the stability and reliability of drones for short-distance fresh product delivery.

According to a spokesperson for SF Express, aerial delivery offers significant benefits. This method substantially improves transport efficiency and extends the daily order acceptance window, providing greater flexibility for local fruit farmers to dispatch their harvests. Furthermore, the smooth flight minimises the risk of bruising and damage to the cherries, ensuring their freshness and natural flavour are preserved.

Driven by continuous improvements in logistics infrastructure and technology, an increasing number of Chinese logistics companies are launching drone delivery services for the fresh produce sector. This innovative logistics solution helps local specialty agricultural products reach wider markets more quickly, while simultaneously supporting rural economic development.