As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the streets of Hainan Province come alive with the fragrant allure of zongzi — glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves. Among the myriad varieties, Ding'an County's black pork zongzi has emerged as a culinary phenomenon, selling over 48 million units annually and generating 712 million yuan ($100 million USD) in market value.
This savory delicacy, featuring tender marinated black pork encased in fragrant rice, reflects Hainan's agricultural strengths. Ding'an County, known for its premium livestock, leverages local resources to create a product that balances tradition with modern demand. The zongzi's success highlights rural revitalization efforts in the region, offering insights into China's thriving food economy.
For global food enthusiasts and investors, the numbers tell a compelling story: each Dragon Boat Festival season sees over 200 local enterprises mobilizing to meet domestic and international orders. The dish's popularity among overseas communities — particularly in Southeast Asia and North America — underscores its role as both cultural ambassador and economic driver.
Academics note how such traditional foods gain new relevance through standardized production and branding, while travelers flock to Hainan for hands-on zongzi-making experiences. As one local chef remarked: 'Every bite carries centuries of Li and Miao ethnic culinary wisdom, now shared with the world.'
