Shanghai's largest intelligent agricultural factory can now grow, pick, and pack strawberries all year round, with the capacity to fill the domestic supply gap that typically runs from June to October.
Strawberries are inherently sensitive to heat and intolerant of high temperatures and drought, making them a "seasonal" fruit available only from November to May. In this newly established intelligent cultivation facility, strawberries are now available year-round.
"The 'Baihe Digital Smart Strawberry Plant Factory' project, planned, approved, and built within a single year, sits right in the heart of the Baihe Cluster, which is one of the twelve modern agricultural zones planned by the city of Shanghai," said Wang Wei, deputy mayor of Baihe Town People's Government, Qingpu District, Shanghai.
This project occupies an area of 12,000 square meters, with a smart glass greenhouse covering over 3,400 square meters. Officially operational in January 2026, it focuses on high-tech cultivation, digitally intelligent management, and the integration of the entire industry, said Xie Shaohong, co-founder of 4D Bios.
This independently developed "Strawberry AI Planting Decision System" enables real-time data collection on temperature, light, water, air, nutrients, and plant growth status. Strawberry plants receive precisely controlled illumination for 10 to 12 hours per day, resulting in a significant improvement in growth efficiency.
"This project employs an eight-layer vertical system, which saves arable land, makes efficient use of space, and has a production capacity more than 15 times that of traditional agriculture. Once fully operational, it will produce 50 tons of high-quality strawberries annually, with an annual output value of approximately 10 million yuan," said Xie.
At present, the factory has grown several strawberry varieties, including "Xiangye," "Fenyu," and "Baihe Liren." The first batch of fresh strawberries is expected to be available for sale in late to mid-June of this year.
"We have adopted a model characterized by 'government guidance, enterprise leadership, and market-oriented operation.' Current market demand is substantial, and we are busy filling preorders, with products having already been pre-purchased by several high-end distribution channels," said Wang. As the "Strawberry Capital of China," Baihe Town has more than 3.8 square kilometers of growing space, with an annual output of nearly 10,000 tons.
A third of domestically grown strawberries available in Shanghai originate from this town.
There are four smart plant factories that have been completed or are under construction in Shanghai.
According to the official plan, at least 10 smart greenhouses and plant factories will be established across the city by the end of 2028.
New intelligent agri-factory achieves year-around strawberry production
