Shanghai, June 15, 2026 — The official plaque-awarding ceremony for the newly established Industry-University-Research Cooperation Base, alongside the signing and launch ceremony for the 2026 China Fruit Consumption and Trend Insight Report, was held today at the Songjiang Campus of the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics (SUIBE). The event, under the theme of “Integration of Industry and Academia • Empowering the Fruit Sector,” was attended by leadership from the SUIBE School of Management, heads of the Key Laboratory of Data Science and Management Decision, and representatives from the Organizing Committee of the China International Fruit Expo [3] (China Fruit). This high-profile alliance aims to leverage data science to drive the digital transformation and precision upgrading of the traditional fruit industry.

During the event, Huang Xianhua, general manager of Shanghai EverFlourish Events Co. Ltd. and representative of the China International Fruit Expo Organizing Committee, addressed the critical pain points currently facing the fresh produce supply chain [4]. Huang noted that Shanghai EverFlourish Events Co. Ltd., established in 2020, was co-invested in and founded by leading pioneers in the fruit industry to fully operate the China International Fruit Expo. Guided by its core theme of “World Fruits, Chinese Market,” the expo aggregates premium global fruit resources and benefits from the deep empowerment, strategic support and comprehensive resources of industry giants. Through this partnership with university research institutions, the committee aims to introduce top-tier scientific research and data analytics capabilities to inject digital intelligence and provide strategic guidance for enterprises across the fresh produce supply chain.

Tan Hua, party secretary of the SUIBE School of Management, emphasized that the school views digital and intelligent empowerment as a critical lever for driving reforms in education, scientific research and talent cultivation models. As a key research base for humanities and social sciences in Shanghai universities, the Key Laboratory of Data Science and Management Decision explores consumer behavior and industrial evolution patterns across three core dimensions: production, consumption and management. The laboratory focuses on building a high-level big data platform for intelligent decision-making analysis to provide robust think-tank support for upgrading industrial processes. Tan stressed that the school will fully leverage its research advantages to further deepen collaborative innovation mechanisms across industry, academia, research and application. By aligning university capabilities with the needs of the industry frontlines and capitalizing on the Organizing Committee’s premium industry resources, both parties will jointly develop a high-level innovation platform.

Witnessed by the attending guests, representatives from both sides completed the plaque-awarding ceremony for the Industry-University-Research Cooperation Base, marking the official transition of this shared vision into regular, operational reality.

As a major tangible outcome of this partnership, the two parties formally signed an agreement commissioning the compilation of the 2026 China Fruit Consumption and Trend Insight Report. The forward-looking study will comprehensively combine the specialized research capabilities of the Key Laboratory of Data Science and Management Decision in consumer behavior and intelligent decision-making with the China International Fruit Expo’s extensive full-chain channel advantages. Serving as a flagship intellectual asset of this collaborative initiative, the report is scheduled to debut at the 2026 China International Fruit Expo, establishing a definitive, benchmark resource for the industry.

A core focus of this strategic partnership is to maintain a market-driven approach. By integrating collaboration between industry and academia and the fusion of research and industry, the initiative will strengthen talent development and collaborative research projects. This synergy will not only enhance the innovative and practical skills of university students but also deliver targeted, actionable research insights directly to the frontlines of the fresh fruit industry.

Moving forward, the China International Fruit Expo Organizing Committee and the SUIBE School of Management will work in close alignment, opening a new chapter in collaborative and synergistic development across industry, academia and research.

Images: China Fruit