The first 1,080 boxes of Sunkist oranges from the United States arrived in central Chinas Hubei Province Tuesday, marking Hubeis first direct import of American fruit.

  Fruit imported from abroad normally arrives in Chinas coastal areas including Shanghai, Xiamen and Guangzhou and is transported to inland areas later. The long distance and high transportation fees often add to the price of the fruit.

  As Wuhan import fruit port started operation, the capital of Hubei is likely to become a distribution center of imported fruit in central China.

  There is a huge market demand in central China areas around Wuhan, said Ryan Scott, Director of the Agricultural Trade Office of the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai.

  Jamie Fouss, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan, said, taking advantage of opportunities to expand trade from Wuhans good port and friendly foreign trade policies, U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan will help bring more agricultural products to central China.

  Wuhan is the biggest waterway-rail hub in inland China. It is also one of Chinas major industrial and educational bases.