Pomelos push up farm profits

In recent years, Liangping pomelo, one of three major pomelo varieties in China, has blossomed into a local cornerstone industry in Chongqing with a well-developed industrial chain. This evolution has ignited rural vitalization and advanced the development of high-quality ecological agriculture throughout the region.

On Nov 10, the 7th Yangtze River Three Gorges (Liangping) International Pomelo Expo kicked off in Liangping district, Chongqing, which will run till the end of the year.

To foster the high-quality growth of the Liangping pomelo industry, three categories of prizes were presented at the event. These awards — best quality, best image and best creativity — were bestowed on nine fresh, top-tier pomelos and innovative pomelo products crafted by local growers, rural cooperatives and processing enterprises.

"When our company first ventured into the deep processing of Liangping pomelos in 2013, the market for such products was relatively untapped nationwide, presenting a blue ocean opportunity," said He Yunfen from Chongqing Qishuang Industry, which won the best creativity award.

He said the company invested over 6 million yuan ($830,000) in research, and has developed over 10 products including pomelo sugar, juice and essential oil. In the first three quarters of this year, sales increased 70 percent year-on-year, achieving production value of 130 million yuan.

Liangping has been cultivating pomelos for over two centuries. Benefiting from its exceptional natural environment, Liangping pomelo exhibit distinctive characteristics, including a flat-round shape — a distinguished flat-topped pomelo variety — thin and smooth skin, a golden hue and a taste characterized by tender, seedless flesh.