On April 28, the Kunming Haiguangxing Fruit Market officially opened with a grand ceremony. Jointly invested in and developed by Jiaxing Fruit Market, Guangzhou Jiangnonghui Market and Shanghai Ouheng Group, the project spans approximately 773 mu (52 hectares), with a total investment of 1.6 billion Chinese yuan ($235 million). Completed within just one year, it is positioned as a primary wholesale fruit market serving southwest China. The market is located in Kunming’s Dianzhong New District, enjoying a highly strategic geographic location.

On the opening day, more than 500 industry guests, trader representatives and partners from across the country gathered to witness the official launch of this key wholesale fruit market. Prior to opening, the market had already achieved a 100% occupancy rate. Renowned international brands such as Goodfarmer, Zespri and Dole, along with leading local fruit enterprises from Yunnan, have all signed on and commenced operations, covering key categories including kiwifruit, durians, avocados and citrus.

Leveraging Kunming’s integrated air, rail and road transportation network, the market aims to aggregate high-quality fruit resources from both domestic and international sources. It will continue to enhance its operational service system and expand international trade channels, making it easier and more efficient for fruits from Yunnan to reach markets beyond the province.

At the same time, the market will streamline the supply chain for premium Southeast Asian fruits entering China via Yunnan, reducing costs and improving efficiency while positioning itself as a strategic hub for a new fruit trade corridor connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia.

The opening day was filled with vibrant and engaging activities. Leading brands Goodfarmer and Zespri marked the occasion with high-profile container-opening ceremonies. Traditional ethnic performances and lion dances infused the venue with festive energy, creating a lively atmosphere.

At the same time, the Fourth Fruit Heroes Conference (第四届水果英雄大会) was held at the market. A large-scale professional exhibition area spanning over 10,000 square meters was unveiled, showcasing more than 100 high-quality fruit categories, including bestselling fresh produce and distinctive new varieties. The event featured open exhibition access and multiple industry forums running in parallel, enabling one-stop sourcing and precise matchmaking between suppliers and purchasers.

Notably, a series of major industry events, including the International Fruit Conference 2026 and the National Fruit Production and Marketing Matchmaking Conference (全国水果产销对接大会), were successfully held in Kunming in the lead-up to the opening.

The International Fruit Conference 2026 was jointly organized by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products and Kunming Haiguangxing Fruit Market. Cao Derong, president of the chamber, along with officials from the Dianzhong New District and the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce, attended the conference and delivered remarks.

The conference took “Yunnan fruits” as a key theme, featuring high-level keynote speeches on topics such as “The Current State and Development Trends of China’s Fruit Industry” and “Small Apples, Big Market: Rockit’s Journey in China.” A series of thematic presentations and roundtable discussions were also organized on fruit retail and distribution channels, highlighting digital efficiency and differentiated positioning as key success factors. During the discussion sessions, speakers focused on three major categories — cherries [3], durians [4] and blueberries [5] — exploring actionable, digitally driven solutions against the backdrop of rising production volumes.

Participants conducted in-depth analyses of industry opportunities and challenges, jointly exploring sustainable development pathways to strengthen international cooperation in the fruit sector and enhance supply chain resilience amid the ongoing restructuring of global value chains.

Images: Kunming Haiguangxing Fruit Market (main image and body image one), International Fruit Conference 2026 (body image two)

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article [6].