Donggang Emerges as China’s Largest Strawberry Production and Export Hub

According to a report from Xinhua News Agency, the city of Donggang in Liaoning province has maintained a strawberry planting area of over 13,000 hectares, with an annual output exceeding 320,000 metric tons. In 2024, the city’s strawberry exports reached approximately 329 metric tons, with an export value of about 46.68 million Chinese yuan ($6.71 million), making Donggang the largest strawberry production and export base in China.

Although Donggang is located at a latitude of 40° north, the Changbai Mountains block cold air from the north, while the Yellow Sea brings in warm, moist air from the south, resulting in a milder climate than other cities in Northeast China. Abundant sunshine, adequate rainfall and fertile, organic-rich soil make the area ideal for producing high-quality strawberries.

Donggang boasts a strawberry cultivation history of more than a century and is home to a diverse range of strawberry varieties. It was among the first regions in China to introduce the Zhangji (章姬) and Hongyan (红颜) varieties, and it later introduced and selectively bred Senyan No. 99 (森研99号), now widely known as Dandong Jiujiu (丹东久久).

The city has seen the establishment of specialized strawberry research institutes, technology extension centers and germplasm resource banks, as well as tissue culture facilities that supply growers with virus-free strawberry seedlings, significantly boosting yields. Since 2019, Donggang has adopted frozen seedling technology, storing strawberry seedlings at −20 degrees Celsius to break dormancy. After transplanting in mid to late September, the first harvest can begin as early as October, about two months earlier than with traditional cultivation methods.

Beyond breakthroughs in variety development and extended production seasons, smart farming technologies have significantly improved the efficiency of strawberry cultivation. Greenhouses are equipped with IoT-enabled temperature and humidity sensors, intelligent drip irrigation systems and carbon dioxide generators, all of which can be monitored and controlled via smartphones, enabling more precise and efficient farm management.

Strawberries have a short shelf life, making long-distance transportation and extended preservation challenging. In recent years, however, the city’s strengths in e-commerce and modern logistics have propelled Donggang strawberries to nationwide popularity. Donggang has over 6,600 registered e-commerce companies and individual operators and hosts more than 15,000 online stores in total, with fresh strawberry sales accounting for up to 70% of transactions. Through partnerships with major logistics providers such as China Post, SF Express and JD Logistics, the city has launched dedicated strawberry cargo flights, enabling Donggang strawberries to reach consumers nationwide within 48 hours.

Image: Pixabay