LANZHOU — Northwest China's Gansu province has exported 31,800 metric tons of apples, with a total value of $40.95 million, to 22 countries and regions this year, according to the customs in Lanzhou, capital of the province.

The customs said Gansu has seen stable export of agricultural products to the Belt and Road (B&R) countries since February.

On March 3, 23 tons of cherry tomatoes were exported from the city of Jiuquan to Kazakhstan. On March 10, the province also exported 20.6 tons of apples worth $32,000 to Kuwait.

Despite the country's fight against the novel coronavirus disease, Gansu, a major apple and cherry tomato planting province, has a stable agricultural product output.

"B&R countries are huge markets and trade partners of Gansu, and they have great demand for agricultural products from Northwest China," said Li Quan, head of the Lanzhou customs.

Li added the customs has simplified clearance procedures for agricultural products, shoring up foreign trade. The deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative, trade facilitation efforts and innovative measures also contributed to foreign trade growth in Gansu.

In 2019, Gansu exported 260 million yuan (around $36.6 million) worth of vegetables, up 36 percent year-on-year.