Scramble for high-priced fruit led by irrational speculation

Since Aug 10, over 5,000 persons had broken into fenced meadows in Northwest China's Qinghai province to steal black wolfberries, which are believed to have health benefits and sell for more than 160 yuan ($25) per kilo. By Aug 26, the police had detained 22 people for the offence. Comments:

What happened in Qinghai is a commercial-propelled craze, something common in this age of consumerism. Black wolfberry is good for health but not a cure-all herb as some businesspeople boast; actually, the beneficial flavonoids it contains can also be found in our daily fruits and vegetables. Had the market been led by rationalism, not speculation, the incident in Qinghai would not have happened.

Zhang Tiankan, deputy editor-in-chief of Encyclopedia Magazine, Sept 1