While durians from Thailand and Malaysia, bananas from the Philippines, and passion fruits from Vietnam delight Chinese consumers, a unique Chinese desert fruit is making its way to Southeast Asian markets. The humble crabapple, grown in the sandy expanses of China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is set to become the next exotic fruit sensation.
In the vast Horqin Sandy Land, cold-chain trucks bustle through orchards, loading freshly picked crabapples destined for Southeast Asia. This area, once a desertified region in north China’s Inner Mongolia, has transformed into a thriving fruit hub.
Teng Dayong, a fruit farmer in Horqin Left Wing Middle Banner of Tongliao city, manages a sprawling 190-mu (about 12.67 hectares) crabapple orchard. “This year, each mu is expected to yield 2,000 kilograms of crabapples,” Teng shares. “Nearly half of my harvest has been pre-ordered for export to Southeast Asia.”
The journey of these red, plump crabapples begins inland and continues by truck to coastal ports like Dalian. After ten days of cold-chain transport, they will appear on supermarket shelves in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The Horqin Sandy Land, covering over 77.6 million mu, spans Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces. Decades ago, locals planted poplar trees as windbreaks against the encroaching sands. However, these trees consumed significant water and offered little economic benefit.
Recognizing the need for sustainable development, the forestry and grassland academy in Tongliao developed a crabapple variety that thrives in harsh conditions while providing economic returns. “Farmers are now eager to cultivate this sweet, nutritious, cold-resistant, and drought-tolerant fruit,” explains Aoserji, director of the forestry and grassland administration in Horqin Left Wing Middle Banner.
Today, Tongliao boasts 350,000 mu of crabapple orchards, producing over 100,000 tonnes annually and generating nearly 500 million yuan in output value.
This year’s success has spurred Teng to partner with Malaysian Chinese entrepreneur Zeny Yong to establish a fruit packing and export company. Yong, who has been ordering crabapples from Teng for several years, sees immense potential in introducing this unique fruit to the Southeast Asian market.
In Kailu County, also in Tongliao, over 100 tonnes of crabapples are exported annually to countries including Thailand, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates. The county has invested in a cold storage facility capable of storing 1,000 tonnes, ensuring the fruit remains fresh for export until April and May of the following year.
As China’s crabapples find new fans abroad, this venture not only boosts the local economy but also symbolizes the fruitful transformation of once-barren lands. The exchange enriches culinary experiences and strengthens ties between China and Southeast Asia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
