Innovative monk fruit company thrives despite trade challenges

Amid turbulence in global trade, a monk fruit company from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has successfully avoided price hikes by reducing costs with technological innovation, while raising revenue through a global expansion push.

Monk fruit, also known as Swingle fruit, is a small round fruit mainly grown in Yongfu County, in Guilin, where Chinese people have enjoyed the multiple health benefits of this delicious fruit for centuries.

Guilin GFS Monk Fruit Corp, one of the largest of its kind in the world, is an example of how Chinese companies are using technology to stay agile as they expand into global markets.

Monk fruit is becoming ever more popular as a zero-calorie natural sweetener, and is used in many drinks and snacks in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

The company’s president Lan Fusheng said about 85 percent of the company’s global sales last year came from monk fruit exports, and explained to China Global Television Network (CGTN) how the fruit is a symbol of China's innovation-driven export strength.

"We have the same goal. First, understanding each other is important to getting along with clients or the process of developing a business. Another one is how to address the problems and difficulties. For instance, in the case of this trade friction, we should have more discussions to see where our respective advantages lie, and which ones can be shared and solved together," said Lan.

Lan's company has independently developed advanced monk fruit extraction technology., and, after six years of research and development, they have secured certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The company now holds over 130 global patents, supported by an expert team spanning 27 countries.

"We cultivated the varieties we currently use all by ourselves. We have nearly 130 patents worldwide and 27 experts from all over the world. Wherever a product is to be sold, local experts must be involved. The first product we developed was our monk fruit sweetener. We started the research and development of this product with the U.S. market in mind. We began developing it in 2004 and finally obtained the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) certification from the FDA in 2010, which marked the start of our overseas trade. To be precise, that's when the monk fruit started going out of China," said Lan.

While acknowledging that trade frictions have temporarily posed challenges for Chinese entrepreneurs, Lan says it is both a wake-up call and an opportunity for growth.

"First of all, I think we should have confidence. Whether it's unique resources, technologies or talents, only with these advantages can we have the power to speak and compete. Then I think we should have confidence in our country and our team. Secondly, everyone should recognize this product and need it. That way, they will also hope that this product can continue to serve their market," he said.

Innovative monk fruit company thrives despite trade challenges

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests