Food processing helps boost Linyi city's economy

The food processing industry in the Hedong district of Linyi city – in East China's Shandong province – has grown into one of the city's industrial pillars and helped boost the local economy.

In fact, the total output value of the sector has currently reached 10.8 billion yuan ($1.57 billion).

Through technological innovations, a group of businesses are looking to very bright market prospects. One of them is Tianqin Food Co Ltd, a company that has been deeply rooted in dehydrated vegetable processing for more than 20 years.

Spic-and-span: The spotless interior of the premises of Linyi-based Tianqin Food Co Ltd. [Photo by Liu Yao for chinadaily.com.cn]

Since its establishment, Tianqin has used arid drying – or AD – a traditional processing technology that is greatly affected by seasonal changes in weather.

Due to its limitations, the AD production lines can only process raw materials for three to four months of the year, said Dou Huaiti, a manager of the company.

Freeze dried lemon slices roll off the FD production line at Tianqin Food. [Photo by Xing Ziqin for chinadaily.com.cn]

This year, Tianqin invested 120 million yuan to upgrade its plants, equipping them with six freeze-drying production lines. Now, the FD machines are operational all year round.

Thanks to the improved facilities and innovation in technology, Tianqin supplies higher value-added products and keeps sharpening up its market competitiveness.

Another enterprise in Hedong district, Tianyuan Food, has seen surging orders in recent years through technological reform and government policy support. (Edited by Xue Xinyi)

Workers at Tianyuan Food carefully process dehydrated vegetables. [Photo by Xing Ziqin for chinadaily.com.cn]