All-cargo flights operated by SF Express have carried nearly 470 tons of matsutake mushrooms from Shangri-La in Yunnan province this summer, helping the prized fungus reach domestic and international markets faster and fresher.

Since early July, 48 flights have departed Shangri-La Airport in Diqing, with a cargo throughput reaching 469.9 tons as of Aug 13, according to local authorities. The figure represents a year-on-year increase of more than 10 percent, with around 220 tons transiting through Kunming before continuing to other destinations, according to Yunnan Daily.

The dedicated service, launched in 2021, is tailored to the short harvesting season for matsutake, which runs from July to September. Airport officials and SF Express adjust flight schedules and frequency according to output levels, aiming to meet demand from buyers and shippers while supporting rural economic development, it added.

Known for its tender flesh and distinctive aroma, Shangri-La's matsutake mushroom accounts for around 65 percent of Yunnan's production, which itself makes up about 40 percent of China's total output, according to Xinhua News Agency. The mushrooms are popular with domestic consumers and are also exported to Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States.

To preserve freshness during transport, two cargo aircraft are deployed each season, while all ground logistics rely on refrigerated trucks. Air, high-speed rail, and road links are closely coordinated to minimize temperature fluctuations, enabling cross-provincial delivery in as little as seven hours. The network can reach 264 cities nationwide within 24 hours and 310 cities within 48 hours, Xinhua said.

Officials describe the flights as an "aerial bridge", linking remote mountain villages to domestic and international dining tables while boosting local incomes.