Chinese growers aim to expand export of freshly picked waxberries

Chinese growers are planning to expand the export of fresh waxberries harvested in east China's Zhejiang Province to more countries in addition to current marketplaces in Europe and Southeast Asia this year.

The waxberries grew in greenhouses in Zhejiang's Qingtian County were picked in the early morning of Sunday before loaded to refrigerated vehicles and transported to a local intensive processing and storage park for sorting and packaging, then sent to Pudong Airport in neighboring Shanghai for flight to European marketplaces including Madrid.

"This shipment consists of a total of 450 boxes of waxberries for export to for Spain. They were picked in the morning, packaged in the factory in the afternoon, and shipped to Shanghai in the evening, and should be able to arrive in Madrid in 24 hours," said Xia Xiaoqing, an employee of a local trade company.

The waxberry is popular throughout China for its taste and nutritive value. This versatile fruit is also plugged as the next big "super fruit" due to its high content of antioxidants.

But the fruit has a short shelf life and is difficult to store. Therefore, producers in Qingtian County have adopted a new anti-atomization cold chain packaging to keep the freshness during long-distance shipment.

According to local culture and tourism authorities, the Qingtian waxberries are now able to reach 146 cities across China via high-speed trains and cargo flights, and can even arrive in 19 Chinese cities on the day of picking.

The Qingtian waxberries have also reached consumers in Europe and Southeast Asia. In 2023, Qingtian County exported more than 20 tons of waxberries, with a sales volume of 370,000 euros.

The waxberry growers are planning to further expand the export and let their high-quality fruits enter more overseas markets.

"We will export them to more countries this year, like Britain, France, plus Singapore and Indonesia. So, the sales volume of this year is likely to double that of last year," Xia said.

Chinese growers aim to expand export of freshly picked waxberries

Fuzhou, the capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, launched a cross-strait cultural carnival during the May Day holiday, attracting visitors from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to revel in the festivities.

The carnival unfolded at a historical and cultural block in Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, where an array of performances highlighted local culture and the deep ties across the Strait, serving as a rich cultural feast for holidaymakers.

"Strolling through the ancient streets, with the old buildings on both sides and intangible heritage performances all around, it feels like traveling back in time. It also reminds you that people on both sides of the Strait share the same roots and the same cultural lineage," said Zhang Chuanzhen, a Taiwan compatriot.

In addition to stage performances, the block also featured intangible cultural heritage displays, cultural and creative markets, and hands-on craft experience activities. The immersive and interactive setting invited visitors to explore the history, take in the scenery, and savor the culture.

"We are dedicated to allowing everyone to experience the breadth and depth of Chinese culture, and to strengthen the sense of shared cultural identity across the Strait. Going forward, Lianjiang County will continue to innovate forms of cultural exchanges and build a bridge for heart-to-heart communication between compatriots on both sides of the Strait, especially among the younger generations," said Ren Yong, director of the Lianjiang County Cultural Center.

Fujian holds May Day holiday cultural carnival to entertain visitors across Taiwan Strait