Liuzhou Customs in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region saw overall exports of river snail rice noodles - an iconic Liuzhou delicacy - valued at 30 million yuan ($4.64 million) in 2020, around 35 times of the 2019 figure.

The Liuzhou river snail rice noodles were exported to 14 new countries and regions, including Argentina, Russia and Africa in 2020.

"Our products have been exported to countries such as Singapore, Germany and Italy and these products are popular among overseas consumers," said Chen Zihao, who is in charge of a river snail rice noodles company in Liuzhou which was the first of its kind to get a custom record in the city. 

"We've received a lot of overseas orders from countries including Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands since the beginning of 2021," added Chen.

Some companies managing the production of Liuzhou river snail rice noodles failed to export their products, as the raw materials for the noodles had no customs record.

Liuzhou Customs have created innovative initiatives, allowing rice plantations with customs records to provide rice materials for companies with proof-of-supply. Currently, a total of five companies have bought 320 metric tons of rice from these plantations.

The customs department has also given full play to the internet to optimize registration processes and to support seven local Liuzhou river snail rice noodle manufacturing companies in seeking overseas opportunities together.