Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Today, these nutrient-rich fruits are gaining international acclaim, particularly in Germany, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, and the ASEAN countries.
The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, one of China’s leading goji berry-producing areas, has witnessed a significant surge in exports. According to Yinchuan Customs in the regional capital, Ningxia exported 1,331.2 tonnes of goji berries in the first four months of 2024, an increase of 15.3 percent year on year.
Ningxia’s goji berries boast a strong global reputation, consistently ranking first in export volume and value within China. At Ningxia Wolfberry Goji Industry, a prominent producer in the region, approximately 800 boxes of dried goji berries totaling 14.5 tonnes were sorted and packaged on automated production lines for export to the United States in June alone.
“With improved international trade, we have been steadily resuming exports,” said Wang Fei, the company’s foreign trade manager. “Our export value skyrocketed 145.3 percent year on year to reach 58 million yuan (about $8.15 million) in the first four months of the year.”
The company is not only maintaining the export volume of its primary product—dried goji berries—but also investing in science and technology to develop new offerings such as goji berry juice, freeze-dried powder, and compound beverages. “We are expanding our industrial chain and overseas markets,” Wang added.
Renowned for their nutritional value and health benefits, goji berries are known to help protect the liver, improve eyesight, and boost vitality. The diverse, high-quality products from Ningxia have facilitated the expansion into overseas markets. The region has established a national research institute and a national quality testing and inspection center for goji berry products, achieving breakthroughs in quality enhancement and deep processing.
Data indicates that Ningxia has developed over 120 new goji berry products, including medicines, food, drinks, and cosmetics, which have been exported to more than 50 countries and regions worldwide. In 2023, the region reported an annual industrial goji berry output of 29 billion yuan.
The burgeoning tourism industry is also adding value to Ningxia’s goji berry sector, with tourists frequently purchasing the red fruits as gifts or souvenirs. By the end of 2023, the goji berry planting area in Ningxia covered about 21,667 hectares, yielding an annual fresh goji berry output of 320,000 tonnes. According to Ningxia’s goji berry development plan, the region’s annual industrial output is expected to reach 100 billion yuan by 2030.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com